94



Dr. Graham Benshaw,



was formerly provided by large spreading branches, in which the

Weavers used to construct their nests ; now the branches are shorter,

though sufficient—presumably so as not to interfere with the new

background that has been painted in.


This recent decoration is at once novel and striking; painted

by the master hand of Mr. B. E. Holding, the effect is excellent. In

the Zoological Park at New York it has long been the custom to

furnish scenes from actual bird-haunts as backgrounds for the cages.

Over here Manchester leads the way in mural decoration, the aviary

at Belle Vue being the only instance of its kind in the country. Mr.

Holding has depicted a mighty African river flowing between wide

banks, to disappear in a broad waterfall. On the horizon we discern

a range of purple mountains, while in the foreground are seen many

feathered fowl. Weavers and Whydahs, Mousebirds and Bee-eaters

fly over the scrub or perch on branches ; great black and white Horn-

bills are here, with Sacred Ibis and Egyptian Geese. Touracoes sit

silent yet alert on a convenient bough ; close by a trio of Shrike please

the eye with their blue and white plumage. In the foreground we

recognise the familiar figure of the Masked Dove {AHna capensis );

by the water-side stands a Francolin and the pretty, historic Crocodile

Plover. Conspicuous in the scheme is the White-bellied Grow, with¬

out which no African landscape would be complete.


On the right wall the Ornis of Australia is depicted in similarly

suitable surroundings. The African birds are replaced by great

Pelicans, a Bifie Bird, and the Australian “Magpie” ( Gymnorhina ).

We see the Laughing Jackass emitting its raucous notes, and there

is the Wonga Pigeon and the curious Maned Goose. The left wall

transports us to America, with its Curassows and Hangnests; a

Toucan yelps industriously, while a Yellow-fronted Amazon sits

phlegmatically on its perch unmoved by the clamour.


The lower portion of the background is occupied by a wired-in

service passage, skilfully subdued by white painted wirework, which,

by dazzling the eye, masks all detail. The front wires of the aviary,

on the other hand, are rendered as inconspicuous as possible by a

coat of black. The stone fountains are of simple and pleasing design :

the upper shallow basin is smaller than the lower, and both allow

ready bathing and drinking facilities. Many of the birds in this



