Ornithological and Other Oddities 



Australian species [Podargus cuvieri) at the 

 Zoological Gardens, which, for variety of facial 

 expression, are equal to any of the owls. In 

 one of the illustrations the bird wears an aver- 

 age expression, if I may use the term ; but in 

 the other the mobility of his countenance has 

 full justice done to it, apparent peevish disgust 

 in the one contrasting with genial satisfaction in 

 the other. As a matter of fact, in the former 

 he is trying to look like a stump, while in the 

 latter he has let his features relax, perhaps in 

 the anticipation of dinner. 



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