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P. Lambert—Pheasants in Relation to Aviculture



“ This remarkable Cotinga has the most varied range of any species

of the family in Costa Rica, being found from sea-level up to 10,000 feet,

where there are heavy forests. It is not an abundant bird, however,

and but few individuals are seen. I saw a pair on Rio Sicsola, near sea-

level, and secured the female. At Cuacimo I also secured a female, and

close by, at El Hogar, secured a pair in 1907. They are always seen

in the heavy forest, sometimes near the ground and again high up in

the trees, and are very stupid and easy to approach.”


I believe none of the three types of this bird have ever been kept

in captivity, and consider that our society should do all that is possible

to save these interesting birds from extinction.


The base of the neck is reddish orange, and the throat wattle red

in life.



PHEASANTS IN RELATION TO AVICULTURE


By P. Lambert.


The Avicultural Society is in a flourishing condition, and our

numbers are satisfactory. But if one picks up the January issue

and scans the names of those who are genuinely interested in Orna¬

mental Pheasants, the Pheasant enthusiast receives rather a rude

shock. I suppose one would be correct in presuming that every member

of the Avicultural Society keeps a few birds, whether they are Parrots,

Parrakeets, Finches, Budgerigars, is immaterial. Yet I am sorry to say

it is true that only comparatively few of these members keep Pheasants.

It is surely very surprising and it is difficult to discover a reason. It

cannot be on the score of space, for Pheasants do not require large

aviaries and in fact most Pheasants live in complete harmony with

other birds. It is not the expense entailed, for many of the Ornamental

Pheasants are not expensive, on the contrary. It cannot be urged that

the breeding results are poor, this would be a terrible calumny, and a

fallacy. Most certainly it cannot be said that Pheasants are lacking

in beautiful plumage, for no group of birds in the world can be more

elaborately or delightfully garbed. Again, it cannot be said that



