146



Stray Notes



to Mr. Ezra, who knows how to treat rare softbills as well as anyone

I know.


# * # *


The aviaries at the Zoological Gardens are fast assuming their

pre-War appearance, and may, in fact, be said to bo quite well stocked.

Two most valuable collections have recently been received, one con¬

sisting of some two hundred birds from New York, presented by the

Zoological Society of that State, the other from India, brought home

by Mr. E. W. Harper.


* * * *


The American birds are especially valuable nowadays, since the

exportation of native birds is prohibited in the ordinary course. It is

delightful to again have the Blue-bird, the Bobolink, the Red-winged

Blackbird, and the various species of Zonotrichia, which the Americans

call “ Sparrows Some of these are delightful aviary birds, hardy

and beautiful. The White-crowned Sparrow is charming, and so is the

Fox Sparrow, but most of all do 1 like the White-throated Sparrow,

which is of a rich brown colour with conspicuous white throat and eye-

stripes and a spot of bright yellow on each side of the face. The birds

from New York were not all North American ; there were several from

Central and South America : the Double-striped Thicknee of Central

America was represented by a beautiful pair; a Derbian Screamer,

a Northern Boatbill, some Guans, Aracaris, and a Toucan came also,

as well as some Australian species. Altogether it is a splendid collection

and a most generous present.


* * * *


The Indian collection contained no very great rarities, but a most

useful lot of birds, not to mention some most valuable mammals.

There were Vultures, Eagles, and Kites, Blue Pies and Wandering

Tree Pies, Blue-cheeked Barbets, and White-eared Bulbuls.


* * * *


Mr. L. S. Crandall, the Curator of Birds to the New York Zoological

Society, has been over here making a collection of mammals, birds,

and reptiles, which has now sailed. I think every dealer’s establishment

not only in this country but also in France, Belgium, and Holland



