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was about to start for the Western Aviaries, the keeper 

 casual!}^ mentioned that they had a bird in the Insect 

 Honse that I might like to see, and when he told me 

 what that bird was I did not go to the Western Aviaries. 

 No, I went to the Insect House instead, and by the 

 shortest route. There, practically hidden away, (for who 

 would go to an Insect House to find birds ! ), I saw a 

 bird that I certainly never expected to see alive in 

 England, though I am aware that at least one living 

 specimen has been brought over before. It was, without 

 doubt, the rarest and most beautiful bird in the Gardens, 

 and to do it adequate justice I must leave the account of 

 it for a separate article. Perhaps there may be room in 

 our next issue. 



There were a few other birds in the Insect House 

 however — a White-headed Woodpecker from Brazil, for 

 instance, which was quite at home, having been in the 

 Society's possession over five years. A relation, the 

 Golden-backed Woodpecker of India, was a more recent 

 addition : (July this year), vSonie Mynahs sitting in 

 a row, attracted more attention than the rara avis, 

 because one of their number, the smaller Hill Mynah, 

 managed to utter a quaint word or two ; and a Yellow- 

 eyed Babbler drew: my notice to himself by endeavouring 

 to devour my notes, while they were incautiously held 

 close to his cage. 



It was rapidl}' nearing five o'clock, when at last I 

 left the Insect House. Tea occupied but a very short 

 time, for as the Gardens closed before six, I saw I should 

 have none to spare. The W^estern Aviaries were practi- 

 cally my last point of call, and on reaching them I found 

 I should miss seeing most of the inmates. Dusk was 

 beginning to fall, and the birds had retired into the 

 covered-in portion. The first to attract my attention 

 were some laughing Jackasses — though quiet enough 

 then. Two Grey Struthideas, busily engaged with 

 supper, were in another division, and were quickly joined 

 by a third, apparently wanting his share. They were all 

 in fine condition and the embodiment of health. It was 



