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Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens.


Besides these three which are new to us, there are in

the collection Meadow Starlings ( Sturnella magnet), Picazuro

and White-crowned Pigeons, Passerine Doves, Snow-birds ( Junco

hyemalis connectens ), Chipping Sparrows, Cayenne Rails and

Laughing Gulls.


The Duke of Bedford has presented a hen Bornean Fire-

back Pheasant (Lophura ignita ) of which species we already had

a pair, the male having also been given to the Society by His

Grace, so we now have a male and two females of one of the

finest of the Firebacks.


Another acquisition of more than ordinary importance is a

beautiful pair of Regent Birds from Mr. Reginald Phillipps.


Members of the Avicultural Society do not need to be

reminded of Mr. Phillipps’ success with this most beautiful of

Bower Birds, and it is interesting to note that the male of this

pair was actually bred in Loudon, and is without doubt the only

Regent Bird that has ever been reared in captivity.


We have secured one pair of the recent importation of

Purple-rumped Sun Birds (Arachnechthra zeylonica ) a species

which is not entirely new to the collection as Mr. E. W. Harper

presented a pair several years ago.


Our collection of Birds of Paradise has been augmented

by the presentation by Mr. E. J. Brook of a male Lesser Superb

Bird ('Lephorhina minor), a species new to the Society’s list. It

is about the size of a Missel Thrush with velvety black plumage,

its throat ornamented with a metallic shield like that on the Six-

plumed Bird, while from the nape grows a wonderful hood of

long greenish-black feathers which, spreading out over the back,

reach nearly to the end of the tail.


We have quite a flock of young Hey's Partridges ( Ammo -

perdix heyi ) about twenty at present, and other eggs due to hatch

soon ; some eight or nine young Australian Rails, some young

Cape Sparrows, and in a few days we expect a brood of young

Martineta Tinamous.


The young Cariama of which I wrote last month is now

nearly as large as its parents, which are sitting again on two eggs,

the full clutch. It is interesting to note that these birds breed

twice in the season. D. S-S.



