SOME ACCOUNT OF A VISIT TO KNOWSLEY. 477 



He now knows and feels that the most eminent have had to work and labour as 

 he does himself. He is also assured of their sympathies, and by the enjoyment 

 of their society receives a strong incentive to persevere, though perhaps secluded, 

 and far removed from personal intercourse with any of kindred dispositions. 



But I am wandering from the object of this communication. We arrived at 

 Knowsley about three o'clock, and after sending in our cards and tickets of 

 admission, we were directed to the aviary. We were first shown into a square 

 plot of ground surrounded by small buildings, and cages tor various birds and 

 animals. There were several Marsupial animals loose in this enclosure ; they 

 seemed but little annoyed at our presence, and allowed us to approach close to 

 them. There were several species of Deer, also free, and amongst them the Moos 

 Deer presented to the Earl by the Zoological Society of Dublin. One small 

 species of Antelope attracted our attention by its crouching towards a large fire in 

 one of the buildings. It stood so close that on laying our hands on its back we 

 were unable to stroke its skin on account of the heat. In this inclosure were 

 several fine Vultures, amongst others two species of the rare and singular genus 

 Percnopterus ; also several very fine Eagles, including all the British species. 

 Amongst the confined animals were several Opossums, a little family of that 

 curious animal the Jerboa, some Kangaroo Rats, and several Armadillos. There 

 was a fine specimen of the old English Mastiff in a kennel, and several other 

 specimens of Dogs were running about the premises. One wretched little crea- 

 ture without any observable hair upon its hide particularly drew our attention. 



But although the quadrupeds are worth attention, the birds form the greatest 

 attraction in this collection. Most of the birds from tropical climates are kept in 

 warm rooms, whilst others, less dependent for health on heat, were kept in ex- 

 tensive cages, the wire- work of which extends over several hundred feet of ground. 

 The water-birds were allowed to swim about freely in a large reservoir of water 

 situated in the middle of the aviary. Amongst the smaller birds confined in 

 cages were several interesting specimens. An African species of the genus 

 Thamnophilus attracted our immediate attention by its large deep yellow eye, 

 which, contrasted with its dark purple plumage, gave quite a new character to 

 the bird. In size it is something less than the Common Starling, and exceedingly 

 elegant in form. It is the only specimen alive in this country. There were also 

 various forms of the American hard-billed birds ; likewise some beautiful speci- 

 mens of the American Thrush, commonly called the American Robin \_Turdus 

 migratorius. — Ed/]; these, we were informed, had been bred in the Aviary. 

 Several small birds from Australia, amongst them the Vanga destructor, a species 

 of the Shrike family, whose extraordinary powers of voice were fully exhibited. 

 Also a species of the beautiful genus Euplectes. Amongst the Scansorial birds 

 were several rare and beautiful specimens. There was a living Red-billed Toucan 



No. 15, Vol. II. 3 r 



