lO 



finches that I have ever seen, and there are many 

 varieties which are never to be seen at shows. To 

 mention all these would take up too much space. 



Ending with the Insect house, one would not fail 

 to be struck with loveh' specimens of rare birds to be 

 seen. First must be mentioned the White-bellied 

 Ameth3'st Starling from Gambia, presented b}^ Dr. 

 Hopkinson, and this is the first occasion when the 

 Gardens have been able to ))oast of having a specimen. 

 Its name is sufficient to describe the bird. In the 

 glass cases Sugar-birds are to be seen, but what will 

 please foreign bird lovers more than anything will be 

 the fine collection of Tanagers, although by no means 

 a complete one, as some of Mr. Townsend's well 

 known varieties are not present. The Spotted 

 Emerald Tanager is perhaps the best, a lovely speci- 

 men ; then come three Tanagers, a Maroon, Striated, 

 Palm, Blue-winged, All Green, Thick-billed, Violet 

 and Dwarf Tanagers, all from Venezuela. 



In the same house is a Poe Honeyeater, Prosther- 

 viatodera novcs- hollaiidicc, or Parson -bird, so called 

 from the two tufts of curled and filamentary white 

 feathers hanging beneath its chin. 



Po6 or Poy-bird was given by Cook's people 

 during the first voyage, who compared the bird's 

 remarkable gular tufts to the earrings worn by 

 Tahikans and called " Poles," as the word was then 

 written. " Tui' " is a common appellation. The bird 

 mimics well and makes a most peculiar sound, 

 although it is stated to be a good songster. In the 

 poster advertising the International Exhibition, to be 

 held at Christchurch, is a figure of this bird. 



Another rare bird is the Green Toucan from 



