Correspondence



233



finder that the owner must be Mr. Chaplin, and he at once took it over to

him, and I hear this morning that it is none the worse for its long outing

and the recent weather. It is a Swallow-tail (Eupetomena macroura), one of

the two of this species which Mr. Chaplin obtained when the Zoo got theirs

at the beginning of June. It escaped the day it was brought here, which

was about 8th June, so that it has been on its own for more than a month

in spite of the heavy rain and cold and in that time has not only existed

but kept fit, and must also have covered quite a lot of ground in the time,

as it has been seen (and sometimes recognized as a Humming Bird), at

Bolney, 7 miles away and other places.


Mr. Chaplin promises full details later, but I think it worth while putting

on record at once this almost unbelievable (but absolutely proved) adventure

of a Humming Bird—a second Balcombe miracle I call it, the first being

the same owner’s Ruby and Topaz, which has been out-of-doors in a

small aviary for about the same time, and that without any worse effects

than occasional temporary torpidity.


E. Hopkinson.



SHAMAS CATCHING FISH


I have just discovered a trait in my Shamas which I cannot recollect

having previously seen mentioned in connection with these birds.


Recently I constructed a small rock pool in the outdoor flight of my aviary

and installed therein two small minnows, whose presence was almost

immediately discovered by the Shamas, which at once started hopping round

the edge of the pool, making pecks at the minnows when they came near the

edge. I watched for some time, and as the birds were unsuccessful in their

efforts I concluded the fish were safe. However, on visiting the flight some

hours later I discovered both minnows gone, and in spite of a diligent search

round about not a sign could I discover of them, so I can only conclude that

the Shamas are better anglers than I gave them credit for. I had previously

given several dead minnows to the birds, which they at once pounced on and

devoured with evident relish, provided the fish were sufficiently small. I was

prompted to do this having remembered reading in a series of articles by

Mrs. Hammond in The Cage Bird Fancy that any small fish found among the

“ dried flies ” when making up Softbill food should be left in as the birds would

eat them. As I have already indicated, however, this is the first time I have

known of them being able to provide themselves with “ fresh fish ”.


If you think the foregoing may be of any interest to members of the

Avicultural Society, you are at liberty to use it as you think best.


Clement M. Leslie.



SOME NOTES ON THE PRESENT BREEDING SEASON


In March, 1930, I purchased a pair of Alpine Chough (Phyrrhocorax

graculus). I think they are a true pair, the hen being the smaller bird. These

are in a large aviary, 60 ft. X 35 ft. x 12 ft., in which, in addition to other

birds, there are two White Jackdaws, sex uncertain. Last year the Choughs

were inclined to go to nest; they tried to build but the Jackdaws, which the





