Part 26 - Beavan's Bullfinch specimens collected in Bhutan

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SUMMARY:
The diarist reports obtaining three specimens of Beavan's Bullfinch, a species very rare in the National Collection, noting that two were females and one male. The birds were very tame, found in open rhododendron and oak forest at 7000, with one female remaining in a Salix bush after the others were shot. Female specimens are noted as long desired at the B. M.

CONTENT:
L. p. 17 I got 3 specimens of Beavan's Bullfinch
(Pyrrhula e. erythaca). I have been constantly
looking out for it in Bhutan but have never
seen it until now. Apparently it is a very rare
Bullfinch as it is represented in the National Collection
by two specimens only - all ♂. Fortunately out of the
3 birds I got 2 were ♀. They were very tame &
the birds (only 3 in number) were in open rhodo &
oak forest at 7000. I shot a ♂ & a ♀ with
the first shot. The other ♀ did not fly away but
remained in the Salix bush in which its companions
were perched & complained plaintively at her
fallen mates. I hated shooting her but specimens
of this rare bird, esp ♀'s have long been a
desiderata at the B. M.
L. ibis 45. 206