Correspondence, Notes, etc .



237



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.


FURTHER SUCCESSES AT MYLOR


I thought perhaps you would like to know that I have about half a dozen

more Peter’s Spotted out from a second nest. It is difficult yet to count

as they are so very nervous. The four from the first nest—three cocks and

one hen—are magnificent, even look better than the parents. Also I have

three Yellow-winged Sugar-birds from the second nest (after laying three

clear eggs after the first nest young were reared).


(Mrs.) K. Drake.



THE ORNAMENTAL PHEASANT SOCIETY


After an exceedingly enthusiastic inaugural meeting, an Ornamental

Pheasant Society has now been formed. Cage Birds is to be our official organ,

and through this paper the Society will publish its weekly notes. Already

it has given us a generous send-off and a special notice of the meeting, which

was held at Mr. G. Elay’s house at Surbiton, where our host and hostess

entertained all those present most lavishly. Few members of the Avicultural

Society can be aware of the magnificent collection of birds that Mr. Elay has

procured and our host kindly allowed us to see round his extensive grounds.


In due course the names of the officials of the Society will be published

in Cage Birds and no doubt a summary of the rules and objects of the

Society.


This is an opportunity to appeal to all members of the Avicultural Society

to join this newly formed society. One of the main features will be to popularize

the keeping of Pheasants and to encourage more aviculturists to collect and

breed these most desirable and colourful birds. That is in fact our main

object, and in no way will the Society be used for the benefit of individuals

wishing to join for gaining their own ends. To carry out our projects we

intend approaching all the prominent show committees with a view to obtain¬

ing a class for ornamental Pheasants. It is also possible that the Society will

take a stand at Olympia and show Pheasants, not as individuals but as a

Society. We shall arrange to have made suitable cages for purposes of exhibi¬

tion and these will be lent to members at a nominal price. There will be

many other minor motives but all will tend to one common object, namely

the popularization of ornamental Pheasants.


The subscription is exceedingly low, a mere 5s., and may we hope that not

only members of the Avicultural Society who are interested in Pheasants

will join but also all those who are true lovers of birds. Every fancier who

keeps and breeds ornamental Pheasants is accomplishing something for which

our descendants will have cause to thank us. Perhaps no group of birds in

the world are in more danger of total extinction, for it must be remembered

that they are not only edible but their gay feathers make them a subject of

attack from the natives of all countries in which they five. To mention but

one Pheasant, the Elliot (Syrmaticus ellioti). Ten years ago this bird was

hardly known in England or the Continent: a few specimens found their



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