85 



" few specimens of true Banks Cockatoos in captivity (three at the outside, 

 " I understand) make their study therefore difficult, and the stringent laws 

 " for their protection and non -exportation justify one in assuming that any 

 " more specimens that can be smuggled out of New South Wales will be few 

 " and far between if any. Neither the New York nor the Berlin Gardens 

 " possess one to my knowledge, and any assertions of foreign naturalists 

 " must be taken cum g-iaiio salt's. As to the Banks bird " laying " in captivity, 

 " I should be glad to hear further particulars, and if your authority asserts 

 " that the black bird is the hen, the phenomenon would be a land-mark in 

 " natural history— the Banks bird is a glorious specimen, and literally 

 " hypnotises one by its combined dignity and gentleness." 



Further coiiinieut is unnecessary at this juncture ; the 

 Museum Catalogue, etc., appears to be fully vindicated — the 

 above is also a most interesting communication on the habits 

 of the bird, when in its native wilds. At the same time it is 

 difficult to understand, that the writer of the communication 

 appearing in our last issue, could have made an assertion 

 directly opposite to the Museum Catalogue, and the sexed 

 skins in the Bird Room at the South Kensington Museum, 

 without some ocular evidence on which to base same. — Kd. 



/IDiscellaneous HAotes. 



In the Waders' Aviary at the London Zoological Gardens nesting 

 operations have already commenced. An almost if not absolutely unique 

 event is the nesting of the Ring Ouzel, which so far appears to be sitting 

 steadily ; it will certainly be a most interesting event in theavicultural world 

 if young are successfully reared. Turtle Doves have hatched and are busily 

 engaged in feeding a pair of squabs. Missel Thrushes have also built and 

 are sitting close, in fact being almost due to hatch. The Pied Wagtails, by 

 their demeanour, are evidently on the same purpose bent. 



In the Western Aviary the Crested, Spotted and Wonga-Wonga Pigeons 

 are nesting. 



Interesting advents to the gardens are, a number of Snow Finches 

 [Montifringilla nivalis), and some young specimens of the Spotted Emu 

 (placed on deposit by Messrs. Payne and Wallace the Australian Collectors), 

 these are but yet small, being only eight montlis old : they reach a huge 

 size when fully adult. 



The Hon. L. Walter Rothschild has placed on deposit a Hawk-headed 

 Caique, of which there was a coloured plate in last issue of Bird Notes. It is 

 a darker and much duller coloured bird than the specimen described in our 

 last issue, and appears to me to be a female. 



