226



Correspondence



chloropterus). One pair of the rare Pheasant Pigeon (Otidiphaps

cervicalis), a number of the form of Three-coloured Parrot Finch from

New Britain— Erythrura trichroa goodfellowi, a number of three species

of Munia — M. melcena, M. spectabilis, and M. tristissima. One male

Yellow-breasted Sunbird ( Cyrtostomus frenatus) and five Duke of

York Island Sunbirds (Hermotimia sericea corinna).


There was also a Grey-throated Honey-eater ( Xanthobis polygramma )

and a pair of Mountain Zosterops, which were disposed of before they

were identified.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.


BREEDING NOTES FROM M. DECOUX


The present breeding season has so far been rather good in spite of the

rainy weather. I was very successful with my pair of Scaly-breasted Lorikeets

which I bought two years ago. They have a couple of young in the nest now,

and since last Christmas they have reared five young ones. The following

Parrakeets have bred this year, some young being still in the nest: Barrabands,

Stanleys, Red-rumps, Crimson-wings, Bauers (one pair had two nests, and

three young are still in the box), Swainson’s Lorikeets, Mealy Rosellas,

Yellow-bellied and Yellow-rumped Parrakeets. The eggs of the Swift

Lorikeets were addled.


Among small Finches, the Masked Fire Finches have young ready to leave

the nest. I have some hybrid Long-tailed Grass Finch X Bengalese, funny

little things with yellow bills which rather take after their father, the

Grass Finch. I also bred four hybrids from a Munia castaneithorax cock and

Bengalese hen, which have just left the nest and look like young Chestnut¬

breasted Finches. The ordinary species of Australian and African Finches

are nesting. I have been particularly successful with Parrot Finches and

Bichenos.


The Doves and Quails have not done so well this year. I had a lot of

clear eggs from pairs that bred freely last year. I was very unlucky with

my Wonga-Wonga Pigeons ; the hen died after laying in April and I was

unable to get another. Do you know anybody who can help me to pair my

odd cock ? This species is rather difficult to breed. A pair of young were

reared by my old pair two years ago but I have been unable to rear any

since.


A. Decoux.



A NEW PLOVER


I have recently received four specimens of a very elegant Plover, which

I believe to be new to aviculture, unless it has been previously exhibited

at the Zoological Gardens. It is Scarciophorus tectus, and is an African species,

ranging from Abyssinia and Somaliland right across the continent to



