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Correspondence



etc. Palawan Peacock Pheasants were reared by several, but I have failed

thus far to hear of any of the Bronze-tailed Peacock Pheasants being reared,

although there are quite a few pairs in the country. Mr. Charles Denley, of

Rockville, Md., reared a nice flock of Malayan Argus, along with several

others of the rarer sorts. Some interesting young reared by Mr. Denley this

season are a result of the Blyth-Satyr Tragopan cross. These are large, and

the cocks, although only of the past season, already show much colour and

brilliance of plumage. Swinhoes and Elliott’s have been reared in such numbers

during the last three or four seasons that they are no longer numbered among

the rare sorts. Green Java Jungle Fowls were reared by Mr. Leland Smith

this past season, as they were last also. This Jungle Fowl is suited only to

the warmer parts of our country, and does not thrive in the north, even with

heated quarters in winter. Sonnerat’s is rare in this country, only two or

three odd birds being in the country at present. The writer expects to have

some Sonnerat’s over from the collection of Professor Ghigi, in Italy, and with

luck they may again become well established in this country as they formerly

were.


Bulwer’s are still very rare in this country and have not, so far as my

information goes, yet been bred. Neither have the White Crossoptilons

with the exception of a reported breeding some years ago in the collection of

Mr. Macy. Mr. Leland Smith has a fine pair of Whites, and it is very probable

that they will breed in the climate of California this coming season. Also

at present en route from India are some sixty Pheasants, including Sclater’s

Impeyan, White Manchurians, Blood Partridges, Western, Blyth, Temminck’s,

and Satyr Tragopans, and others of the rarer sorts. This shipment if received

in good order should give the breeding of some of the rarer sorts a great

impetus.


Mr. Frank Buck, Vice-President of our Society, had a large shipment of

Bulwer’s sent over, but on arrival all had perished except one fine cock which

Mr. Buck still has in fine condition.


The Red Jungle Fowl is terribly common, and very cheap in price, and

there is no interest at all shown in theifi by the collectors of the rarer sorts.

Dr. Newill, of Connellsville, Pa., has the Ceylonese Jungle Fowl ( lafayetti )

in some numbers and appears to be succeeding with them. All of the Crested

Firebacks are being most successfully bred by fanciers in the warmer parts

of the country. The writer owns what he believes to be the only pair of

Imperials in the country at the present time. Last season was a failure with

these, for although the hen laid well the cock came into breeding condition

far in advance of the laying season and fertility was poor. Edwards were

bred in some numbers by at least four fanciers this season. In this connection

the writer feels himself fortunate in having reared to maturity nineteen

Edwards from one of his old pairs. We thought this rather a good showing

from a variety which is not too prolific a layer.


Hundreds of fanciers are breeding the commoner sorts in this country,

such as Reeves, Linneated, Silvers, Nepals, Melanonotus, Lady Amherst,

Goldens, Versicolors, Brown Manchurians, Germains, and Gray Peacocks,

etc., and, of course, many of these will continue to develop their collections

by the addition of the rarer sorts from time to time. All in all, the Ornamental

Pheasant fancy seems to be in a healthy state in America, and the new Society

hopes to spread still further the gospel of these most beautiful birds.


C. L. Sibley.



