N. Wharton-Tigar—Visit of Avicultural Society to Leckford 261


beautiful varieties are gathered together here. There are Tragopans

in four varieties, the lovely Satyr or Crimson-homed, the very red

Temminck’s, Myth's, and Cabots, all beautiful and tame. A cock of

the last-named species especially took food not only from his owner’s

hand, but came round to all of us to see if we had anything for him !

Then there are two lovely pairs of the very rare Palawan Peacock

Pheasant from the Island of Palawan, between the Philippines and

Borneo. This must be the greatest treasure ; for when I asked

Mr. Weaver, well known as one of the most experienced of Pheasant

keepers, what he thought most wonderful among the Pheasants, he

answered, “ the two pairs of Palawans.” There are also pairs of the

Imperial Pheasant, very rare indeed : this is a lovely variety, and so is

Edward’s Pheasant, also rare—a near relation with a white crest and

shining green wings. Besides these there are Rheinhardt’s Argus, a

glorious pair, Mikado, Siamese Firebacks, Monauls, Swinhoes, Bronze-

tails, Copper Pheasants, Blue Crossoptilon.


In the Pheasant enclosures there are various other birds such as

Touracous, of which there are several exquisite varieties, Pink-crested,

Donaldson’s, Senegal, South African Grey, and Violaceous Plantain-

eaters. Mr. Lewis thought, if he were faced with having to keep one

bird only, his choice would be a Touracou ! I noticed also some fine

Green Glossy Starlings, Bartlett’s Bleeding-heart Pigeons, and Jobi

Island Doves, Australian Plumed Ground Doves, the cock displaying

to the hen in the most enchanting manner. I hear from Mr. Terry Jones

that the hen is now sitting, the nest is on the open ground. I hope

all goes well-—what a delight if young hatch out.


From the Pheasantry our party went on to the quarantine room,

passing on the way pens full of young Pheasants, etc., a

credit to the keeper in charge ! The quarantine room is a building

divided in three parts, one for preparing and storing food, etc.,

one for isolating in case of illness, and a third large portion is divided

into various aviaries, where are housed some of the Owls for which this

establishment has long been noted. Here are Bouvier’s Owl from

Fernando Po and Woodford’s Owls from West Africa. There are also

two varieties of Kingfisher (Red-billed and Pigmy) and a pair of the

rare Swainson’s Toucans.



