364



Correspondence



BREEDING OF THE THREE-COLOURED PARROT FINCH (E. trichroa)


Madam, —This species was, I believe, originally imported for Mrs. Johnstone

of Groombridge, nearly thirty years ago. She bred them quite freely and

later on the late Mrs. W. R. Temple bought one or two pairs from her which

also bred and from which stock I obtained a few. My birds were necessarily

somewhat in-bred, but were quite vigorous and prolific.


In 1933 I bought two pairs of E. trichroa var. goodfellowii , these are larger

and handsomer birds than the type and Mr. Goodfellow claimed that they were

hardier also. I am inclined to agree with this statement, as my birds have

often wintered perfectly without heat. Both my pairs reared young in 1934,

one pair I subsequently sold to our member, Mrs. Seymour, who bred young

in 1935 and 1936, in the latter year it was two of the young which bred,

and not the old birds. Some of the young birds came back to me, and by

mating them with some of my own I also bred the species last year, this

being the third generation from the imported birds. This year for some reason

the birds have done nothing but play at nesting, but to-day, 8th November,

I noticed a male chasing a hen and very busily building between times.


This breeding on the threshold of winter must, of course, be stopped,

but I have noticed that many species have continued long after their appointed

seasons. Two young Diamond Doves left the nest last week, and two other

pairs are incubating, three pairs of Jobi Island Doves are sitting, and a pair

of red-headed Parrot Finches have fertile eggs. The latter I propose trans¬

ferring to Bengalese, as it is getting rather late in the season to leave the

Parrot Finches in their somewhat exposed little aviary.


Maurice Amsler.


Hawkhurst.


8th November, 1937.



THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL


Mr. Ezra has successfully bred :—•


The Abyssinian Cliff Chat ( Thamnolea cinnamomeiventrus albiscapulata).


The Western Blue Robin ( Sialia mexicana).


The Papuan Golden-heart Pigeon (Gallicolumba rufigula).


The Black-throated Cardinal ( Parvaria gularis).


The Yellow-billed Magpie ( Pica nuttalli).


Mrs. Drake has bred the Violet Tanager ( Euphonia violacea).


Major M. S. Aldham has bred the Nyasaland Bunting.


Captain Stokes has bred the Cayenne Crake ( Creciscus cayennensis).


Dr. Macklin has bred the White-headed Woodpecker ( Melanerpes candidus ).


This is an outstanding achievement, no species of Woodpecker has

previously been bred anywhere.


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 is known to any of our members or readers, they

are requested to communicate at once with the Hon. Secretary, Miss Knobel.


Mr. E. Valentine has bred Goodfellow’s Blue-headed Parrot Finch.


Dr. Amsler writes that he bred them in 1934. See his note above.


Mr. Partridge has bred Jackson’s Thrush.


These, however, are only subspecies of previously bred species, and the

Society’s rules do not permit of medals being awarded in such cases (see the

Society’s Medal rules), but the breeders are congratulated on their success.



