32



Correspondence



THE BREEDING OF HOOPOES


Madam, —With reference to page 251 of the September number of the

Avicultural Magazine, “ The Breeding of Hoopoes.”


Mark Armstein had a tailoring establishment at the corner of George’s

Street and The Grand Parade, in Cork. On many occasions I visited his

living quarters above the shop. My recollection is that there were birds

everywhere, and the aviary was quite a small room—though at this date

I could not give even approximate dimensions.


He had a wonderful variety of birds, and I remember quite distinctly

being introduced to the young Hoopoes and, later, being shown the Medal

presented for breeding them.


J. H. B. Murphy


(District Commissioner).


Kabarnet (Baringo District),


via Eldama Ravino, Kenya Colony.


23rd October, 1936.


R. L. S.’s SILVERBILLS


Madam, —On re-reading the Life of Robert Louis Stevenson, by Graham

Balfour (Methuen, 1891), I came across the following, which should interest

our readers :—-


“ Paris, January, 1878. I have become a bird fancier. I carry six little

creatures no bigger than my thumb about with me almost all day long ; they

are so pretty ; and it is so nice to weaken in the morning and hear them sing.”


Later on he again mentions his pets, and we then learn that they were

Silverbills. He writes :—


“I once had two of these pigmies in captivity; and in the quiet, bare

house upon the silent street where I was then living, their song, which was

not much louder than a bee’s, but airily musical, kept me in a perpetual

good humour. I put the cage upon my table when I worked, carried it with

me when I went for meals, and kept it by my bed at night; the first thing

in the morning these maestrini would pipe up.”


E. H.



THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL


Mr. Ezra has succeeded in breeding the Blacksmith Plover ( Hop -

lopterus speciosa), Reichenow’s Weaver, and Stanley Cranes.


Mrs. Wharton-Tigar has bred the Crowned White-fronted Waxbill

(Estrilda nonnula).


Messrs. Boosey and Brooksbank have bred the Varied Lorikeet

(Psitteuteles versicolor).


Mrs. Drake has bred the Violet-eared Waxbill (Granatina granatina).


The Society proposes to award a medal in each case for the breeding

of these several species for the first time in the United Kingdom.


If any previous instance should be known to any of our members

or readers, they are requested to communicate at once with the Hon.

Secretary.



