I 2 Deg?:n, Aiishaliau Birds iii Zoological Gardens, London. L^t '}"],. 



really splendid opportunity offers itself to an Australian visitor 

 or a returning colonist to supplement the list and fill in existing 

 gaps. This defect could be remedied with such species without 

 inconvenience to an enthusiastic traveller, and without any 

 particular risk to live stock which do not depend on insect food 

 exclusively. Of these there are many so sparsely represented 

 that whole genera, even families, are totally absent. 



For the housing of animals, including the birds, extensive 

 alterations are at present in progress, or to be taken in hand 

 shortly, when a replenishing of the aviaries would probably 

 receive the attention of the authorities. 



Several large avairies have been built or are in course of con- 

 struction, in which Australian birds might find a suitable home. 

 One which has been erected on the north side of the Gardens is 

 a spacious structure, destined to accommodate certain Parrots 

 during the summer months. Whether its position (on the 

 banks of the Canal) is a well-chosen one it is perhaps too early 

 to decide. 



The " birds of prey " are sparsely represented by a handsome specimen 

 (which lias lived in the Gardens for some years) of the Wedge-tailed Eagle 

 {UroaiHiis audax). Hawks, Buzzards, and Falcons, as well as Ospreys 

 are unrepresented. 



Of the Owls, the only member of the family was the Winking Owl {Ninox 

 connivens), which died during the time I visited the gardens. The Lesser 

 Masked Owl {Strix delicatula) also died. 



Amongst perching birds in the Crows' Aviary may be seen the Raven 

 {Corone australis) and two specimens of the Grej' Jumper {Struthidea 

 cinerea). 



Birds of Paradise (sub-family Epimacliitice, as well as Paradiseincs) and 

 the Australian representatives of the family Oriolidce are unrepresented. 



The numerous Wood-Shrikes are also wanting. These being principally 

 insect and grub-eating genera, one is not surprised to find them absent, 

 as well as all the Flycatchers and Warblers. 



Amongst the Timeliidce, or Babbling Thrushes, we have the Satin or 

 Silky Bower-Bird {Ptilonorhynchus violaceus) represented by two speci- 

 mens only, and luckily a Regent-Bird {Seri cuius melinus). 



Babblers and Titmice are absent, but among the Laniidce, or Crow- 

 Shrikes, both a male and a female of the Black-backed Magpie {Gymno- 

 rhina tibicen) and a splendid male bird, as well as a young male, of the 

 White-backed Magpie {G. leuconota), delight the ear of the visitor. 



All the genera of the sub-family of P achyce phalince , as well as the whole 

 of the representatives of the families CerthiidcB and NcctariniidcB, or 

 Sun-Birds, are absent, and among the long list of Meliphagidw the Warty- 

 faced Honey-eater {Meliphaga phrygia) is a solitary bird, which has been 

 placed in the Parrot-house. 



The numerous species of Wood-.Swallows have one representative — 

 namely, the Masked Wood-Swallow {Ariamus pcrsonatus'). 



Of Weavers there are several, all placed in the Parrot-house or the 

 Insect-house, such as the 



Chestnut-eared Finch {TcEniopygia castanotts). 



Banded, or, as here called, Bicheno Finch {Stictoptcra hi'chcnovii). 



Chestnut-breasted Finch {Munia casianeithorax), 



Modest, or, according to bird vernacular nomenclature, Plum-head 

 Finch (^Aidcniosyne niodestd), 



