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only representative of the Superb Tanager died 

 a short time ago. Tlie Blue-winged Siva and the 

 Silver-eared Mesia were in very good form. The two 

 Bell Birds have been removed to larger cages, and 

 their note can be clearh'' distinguished above the 

 perpetual noise of the Parrots. The note much 

 more resembles a hammer strking an anvil than a bell 

 ringing. The Touracous, Toucans, and Troupials or 

 Hang-Nests, are always well represented. The Finches 

 were not so good and not so numerous as usual — 

 which is not surprising, considering how small their 

 cages are. The only tliree species which were at all 

 worth admiring were the Parrot Finch, two Bicheno 

 Finches, and three Gouldians. Being a cold day and 

 rather dreary, most of the birds in the large aviary were 

 inside, but nearly all the Pigeons were out, and many 

 Cardinals. A Red-crested Cardinal had escaped that 

 morning through a hole in the netting, but had not 

 flown far and was always hovering round the aviary. 

 Curiously enough, though birds sometimes escape 

 they never fly far and are generally caught again. 

 Near this aviary is the post-ntortem room, and here 

 there are many skins of different birds that have died 

 in the gardens : they are always kept there for 

 reference but, needless to say, the beautiful colouring 

 of the living specimens is lost. I mention this, 

 because anyone can get leave to examine the skins, 

 and study the different species and varieties. 



