i6o



Review.



with the excellence of the plan that I have wanted to adopt it

in Regent’s Park ever since.


The space to the left of the new pathway has been formed

into an enclosure for ducks and Flamingoes. A pond with two

islands has been made, and a shed built for new arrivals or birds

unable to stand severe frost, and the whole has been surrounded

by a rat-proof fence. The ducks here are all foreign, and com¬

prise several rare species of Teal, such as Querquedula cyayioptera,

Q. discors, Nettium castaneuni, N. carolinensis and N. formosum.

So many of the ducks and Teal prefer to nest off the ground, that

I have adopted the plan of fixing nest-boxes some four or five

feet above the ground against the side of trees or on stumps let

into the ground, with sloping logs leading to the nests. Last

year, of six boxes so placed, five were taken possession of, and

from eggs laid in these boxes, we reared Andaman and Chestnut¬

breasted Teal and Maned Geese. We always line the boxes with

turf and dead leaves.


In years gone by the Black-necked Swan bred freely in the

Three-island pond enclosure, and we hope that the species will

breed there again this year. It could never be kept there while

the place was occupied by Flamingoes, as the male Swan is

inclined to be very spiteful towards any large birds, though

taking little notice of the smaller ducks. The Flamingoes have

now been moved to the new pond, from which they can be run

into a warm shed in specially cold weather. Frost does not kill

Flamingoes, but they are apt to get frost-bitten legs and feet.


The collection of Pheasants is gradually being improved,

and all the available accommodation for these birds will be fully

occupied this spring. A valuable addition to the pheasantries

is a cock Bornean Fireback (Lophura ignita), presented by the

Duke of Bedford.



REVIEW.


THE EGGS OF EUROPEAN BIRDS.*


We have just received the fourth part of this book, which

when completed will fill a long vacant space in the library of



* The Eggs of European Birds. Part IV. 8opp. and io coloured plates. By the Kev

Francis C. K. Jourdain, M.A., M.B.O.U. Loudon : R. H. Porter. io/6 per part net.



