24S 



crested Finch, a Guttural Finch looking quite a little 

 aristocrat, a Red-headed Finch, and some Waxbills and 

 Mannikins. A two-coloured Parrot Finch {E. psittacea) 

 in the next cage was evidently moulting, but seemed in 

 good health. Immediately underneath was a splendid 

 Large-l)illed Weaver in full colour and delighfully tame 

 and quiet. It is a large bird, three or four times the size 

 of a Napoleon, and has the front and head a rich yellow, 

 and brown wings, back, and tail. Another name for this 

 species is, I believe, the Giant Weaver Bird. 



Some larger cages then attracted my attention, the 

 first three of which contained Toucans. They were all 

 in perfect condition and have been at the Gardens over a 

 year, Ijeing sent there when quite young — so young in 

 fact that the keepertoldmethey did not know how to feed 

 themselves, so he had to teach them. " Nasty nip they 

 can give 3'ou, too," he added reminescently, " their beaks 

 have little teeth on the inner edges, and when they get 

 hold of your hand they give a sudden twist, and you know 

 it. You can crush their beaks as easily as an eggshell, 

 though." Three Touracous, the vSenegal, Schalow's, and 

 Buffon's next compelled my admiration, and these also 

 were in perfect condition. Magnificent creatures they 

 were, too ! Schalow's was the most distinguished looking 

 of the three, mainly on account of his splendid long 

 green drooping crest, each feather comprising it being 

 tipped with white, giving the bird quite a majestic 

 appearance. A Hunting Crow, an exceedingly beautiful 

 bird, was next door — a gift from our member Mr. Russell 

 Humphrys. Ithasbeenan inmate for three years, and was 

 in magnificent plumage, and ver}' tame. Five Troupials, 

 all moulting, and forming a decided contrast to their 

 neighbours, were further on. The tails and wing 

 feathers were all broken, giving them a most disreputable 

 look. " They've been in the wars," I remarked to the 

 keeper. " In the wars ! " he replied, " I should think 

 they liave ; why, the\' fight like blazes! One's a hen," 

 he added in explanation. 



Two Bare-throated Bell Birds were put away in a 



