Winston S. Rowe—The Indian Crested Bunting and other Birds 153


THE INDIAN CRESTED BUNTING


(Melophus melaniclerus)


AND OTHER BIRDS


By Winston S. Bowe


A short account of a pair of these birds which came into my possession

in the early part of the year may be of interest.


Briefly the cock is jet black with cinnamon wings and tail, with

a moderately long crest which when erected slopes backward and

upward. It appears “ thin ” and not burly and is hardly noticeable in

a poor light. In an aviary the hen appears to be of a warm mauve

brown, or dusky brown with a short crest, rather more burly and

more often erected in a more upright manner. No doubt individuals

differ in this respect.


They were imported into England in July, 1934, and were kept

caged right through the winter until I turned them out at the end of

March. I cannot say how hardy they are for that reason, although

heavy showers do not drive them into the shelter or bushes. However,

as soon as the sun commences to drop they hop in the shelter and go

into a cosy box stuffed with hay and straw. Shrubs consist of euonymus

and fir, the aviary being 17 by 4J by 7 feet high with a shelter, included,

of 5 by 4J by 7 feet high. Aspect S.E. All perches are “ natural ”

because of the amount of “ give ” and for their more attractive

appearance.


Their flight strongly reminds one of the flight of a butterfly. While

extremely steady in a cage they appear the opposite in an aviary,

the cock being much more nervous than the hen. Sitting in the

direct rays of the sun or underneath a bush in a clump of grass is a

favoured pastime. I should imagine they are harmless towards any

other birds as they took no notice whatever of a pair of large St. Helena

Waxbills and never indulged in a mild family squabble with each other

even when caged. Before coming into my possession I had ample oppor¬

tunity of seeing them while encaged in a large bird-room. The only

note uttered so far is a mild metallic “ spink ”, somewhat resembling

the Chaffinch note. Large canary and two to three meal-worms daily

settles the food question.



