G. H. Edwards—Yorkshire Aviaries



3



attention to detail—all of them—and his birds and aviaries are a

credit to British aviculture.


I first inspected a young Magpie, Corvus pica, a perfect plumaged

specimen, which, although young, exhibited a really marvellous sheen.

Makes one realize how little we appreciate our native birds, and I

made a mental note that I must acquire a Magpie again, now that

I am about to get a home outside the smoky town area. The Magpie

stood sentry to a long range of pheasantries, well planted with pretty

shrubs. Golden and Lady Amherst Pheasants, Chrysolophus pictus

and C. amherstise, were represented by remarkably healthy, perfect

looking birds. Hard by, Thorburn’s [Beebes) portray of the Malay

Argus, Argusianus argus, found its counterpart in two perfect living

specimens.


Then, a beautiful pair of Reeves’, Syrmaticus reevesi ; Mikados,

S. mikado ; Peacock Pheasants, Polyplectrons —all perfect. The genus

Gennasus, the Kaleege Pheasants, were present in several species, one

of the most interesting being the White Crested Kaleege, G. olbocristatus.

I say most interesting, possibly because the cock slipped into the

shelter and refused to come out, thus fermenting my interest. The

Captain allowed me to 1 go to the shelter, but all I could discern was

an alert perching form, typical Kaleege head, and wary eye. I could

also see the rather singular, lanced white breast feathers. Another

Kaleege, the Swinhoe’s, G. swinhoii , was a real picture in the setting of

the well planted aviary. As with the other members of the genus,

the Swinhoe’s is often pugnacious in the breeding season, so that a

well planted aviary with plenty of “ cover” is a practical measure,

as well as a picturesque setting.


But the most outstanding member of the Kaleege tribe was the

finest Silver cock I have ever seen. Yes, a Silver ; a lovely, clean swept

bird with skin patches a glowing red, grand pencilling, and spotless

plumage. He displayed while we watched, and I am bound to say

I coveted that bird. But then, I recklessly broke the Tenth Command¬

ment at almost everjr pen during my visit to the Captain’s and Mr.

Lambert’s respective premises.


I cannot mention all the Pheasants at Kirby Moorside, without being

in danger of making these notes appear catalogue like. But I must



