G2 F. J. Hunter—Aviculture at the Scottish Zoological Park


Golden Pheasants, whose gorgeous colours made a delightful contrast

to the drab surroundings. Then came Silver Pheasants, with their

long, graceful tails unsoiled in spite of the muddy nature of the ground.

A Peacock and Peahen paraded proudly around these enclosures, the

cock with its train fully expanded as if to show the other birds what

a very superior creature it was.


Another large, open, grassy enclosure contained two Rheas, looking

somewhat bedraggled, but not worried at all by this, and busily dis¬

posing of worms which had foolishly come to the surface. A small

enclosure, with pond and rocky banks, held some Moorhens and

Curlews, and just beyond stood the mansion-house of the estate, which

serves as a club for the Fellows of the Society, and as refreshment-

rooms for the general public.


Beyond this, again, the birds of prey are housed, the first being the

Griffin Vultures, who looked very alert and very ready and willing to

attack anything that might come within reach. A Golden Eagle was

the sole occupant of one cage, and the name appeared somewhat

inappropriate, as its colouring was a dingy black, with no apparent

sign of gold. Two Wedge-tailed Eagles were in the next compartment

sitting most affectionately together with a look of innocence and

harmlessness somewhat foreign to their real natures. Next door lived

a fine Raven, who on my arrival at once remarked, “ What do you

want ? ” and in spite of my explaining fully the reason of my visit,

still repeated the question.


Lastly, in a large enclosure, the floor of which consisted of shelving

rock, with growing clumps of coarse grass, forming an excellent back¬

ground for the birds, were living a fine group of King Penguins and one

Black-footed Penguin. Some were received from South Georgia early

in 1914, and the others from the same place in February, 1917. These

are probably the most interesting birds in the Park to the general

public. The amount of food alone which they consume is both

interesting and surprising, the adults disposing of from twenty to

thirty moderate-sized Herrings in a day. They were standing in their

usual stolid, foolish-looking way, with the exception of a “ baby ”

bird, who took an occasional stroll round, at the same time emitting

a characteristic weird cry. The Black-footed Penguin looked distinctly



