44



Bird Notes from the Zoological Garde?is.



When, I wonder, are Turquoisines coining over? I have

one, and perhaps the only one in Europe ; at least I would like

to know where there are any others.


Pileated I have not yet tried in a mixed collection, but I

propose turning out four youngsters of this year’s produce ; if

they do agree they will make delightful additions.


Barnards, Pennants, Mealy Rosellas, Rosellas, Browns and

Many Colours fight like turks together and must be separated.

One of these days I will try if the hens are excluded, as Pheasants

are kept, if it will stop the bloodshed.


Mice were troublesome until I concreted the floor and

nailed sheet zinc one and half feet up the sides of the aviary.

I now put the seed on the floor, and when they drop down they

cannot get back, so if they have not already pined away and

died which is generally the case I quickly despatch them. I

now very rarely see one.



BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.


Some interesting birds have been received during the last

month, foremost amongst which are two specimens, apparently

a true pair, of the South African Giant Bustard, locally known

as the Gom Paauw (Otis kori ). This is not only the largest

bustard in Africa, but the largest of all the family, and one that

is very rarely brought home. These birds arrived together with

a Stanley Crane and a rare Harrier Eagle (Circaetus pectoralis),

all of which were presented by Dr. Peringuey to His Majesty the

King, who has deposited them in the Gardens, and they are to

form part of the South African collection which it is intended to

exhibit next summer.


Major Harington has presented a White-winged Wood

Duck (Asa?cor?iis scutulatus), from Burmah. This is an extremely

rare species, and the present example is the first ever received

by the Society. It is a large duck, of a blackish-brown colour,

with white upper wing-coverts and a white head minutely speckled

with black.


A very fine pair of Japanese White-necked Cranes have

been received by exchange, also a pair of Monaul Pheasants, a



