1932;



the Things that didn't come off and the New Arrivals



255



Though a little shy they are far from being birds of a skulking and

retiring habit and spend long hours morning and evening in the outside

flights in almost ceaseless motion. They eat nearly a whole apple

each a day in addition to other fruit, insectile mixture, mealworms,

and cockroaches. They are rather silent at present and what noises

they make are not unlike those of other members of the group.


After several unsuccessful attempts I seem to have got a cock

Amethyst Starling who looks like living. They, too, eat a lot of apple

but only the hen cares for insects. I found no difficulty in getting

them to agree.


A young cock Slaty-headed Parrakeet kindly given me by Monsieur

Delacour is slowly moulting into adult plumage. He seemed badly

cage-cramped on arrival and is still stiff in his legs and wings, but he

is improving steadily all the time.


A few weeks ago I obtained a mate for a lovely cock Eacket-tailed

Parrot that has wintered successfully in an outdoor aviary with a

heated shelter. The new female is also doing well but I am a little

afraid she is not Prioniturus platurus but one of the rarer and less

beautiful species. I did not see the introduction but am told that the

cock was delighted and spent a long time displaying to her, bowing

and opening his wings. He now feeds her and they do each other’s

hair ! I am hoping that a movable aviary may be the solution to the

problem of keeping this uncertain-living species in good health. Among

the true Parrots it is as unique in the exquisite soft beauty of its

plumage as the Princess of Wales’ and Bourke are among the

Parrakeets. The feathers are wonderfully smooth in texture and

there is no lovelier contrast than the bright, pale leaf-green of

the breast, the grey green of the wings, the gold of the region

of the nape, and the lavender of the crown set off by a little patch

of lilac pink. Last but not least are a pair of very beautiful

Sunbirds —Chalcomitra senegalensis. The hen has the humble brownish

plumage common to her sex and genus, but the cock is a gorgeous

creature, bronze brown with a glittering green patch on forehead

and throat and marvellous wine-red gorget with tiny blue spangles

like shot silk. I only hope that an open-air life with sunshine and live

insects will prevent this glory from fading to yellow or gold with the



