THE



Avicultural Magazine


THE JOURNAL OF THE

AVICULTURAL SOCIETY



Fifth Series . —VoL II. —No. 1. —All rights reserved . JANUARY, 1937.



JAVAN BLACK-THROATED FRUITSUCKER


(Chloropsis cochinchinensis nigricollis)


By Mrs. Wharton-Tigar


“ This bird is found in the heavy forests of Java, in pairs or small

parties. It is a restless bird, incessantly in motion, feeding upon insects,

soft fruits, and berries.” I can find no further reference to this species

in the textbooks.


In captivity they are delightful birds, very tame and confiding ;

the cock of my pair when at liberty would alight on my hand, head, or

shoulder out of sheer affection. Their song is not outstanding ; they

require plenty of exercise, so are not suitable birds to keep in an

ordinary sized cage. Nor are they when in really high condition safe

with smaller birds, as I know to my cost. How few softbills are !


My pair are most devoted, and have played with the idea of nesting

almost since I first had them, some eighteen months ago. The cock

is a most unselfish mate, always willing to give up a titbit to his wife,

which she greedily demands as a right. Whether they will ever seriously

proceed to rear a family is a chance that I would not dare to hope for

because I fear it is very unlikely.


In case it may be helpful I will now give details of feeding. Although



1



