236



Correspondence



BIRD-LIFE IN SOUTH AFRICA


Sir,— In the August, 1919, number of your Magazine there is an

article on the above subject by Major Seppings which I cannot allow

to go unchallenged. Inter alia, he says that the National Zoological

Gardens at Pretoria have a good collection of birds (like Turban), but

that he did not see anything of outstanding interest. It is a pity

Major Seppings did not call for me at my office, or appeal to the bird-

keeper, when he would have been shown a truly remarkable collection

of South African birds of prey accommodated in a series of aviaries

from 12 feet to 18 feet high by over 200 feet in length. We have no

less than ten species of Eagles, including a pair of the magnificent

Yerreaux’ Eagle, a fine collection of the South African Vultures (six

species), all the Kestrels, and at least a dozen other species of Hawks.

Our collection of South African game-birds is also very fine, including

six species of Francolin, three of Korhaan, one Paauw, four Guinea-

fowl, and some twelve species of Ducks and Geese.


Our Picarian birds are also representative, including three species of

Lourie,* two Rollers, five Hornbills, etc. I can only imagine that Major

Seppings either visited the Gardens near midday, when nearly every

form of bird-life is hidden in cover, or that his tour was very hasty.

As regards his statement that Pretoria is a very birdless town, I do

not quite comprehend his meaning. If he refers to the streets, then he

is quite correct, but I have never seen many birds in streets. Some

years ago I published a very considerable list of the wild birds found

in the Zoo, and I could nearly double that list to-day. The fountains

are full of bird-life, and in almost every garden you will find, besides

the species enumerated by Major Seppings, the Bakbakiri and Fiskal

Shrikes, Sunbirds of various species, and Finches and Seedeaters,

besides an occasional Thrush and some Waxbill.


I trust that Major Seppings will favour me with a call on his next

visit, and I will endeavour to show him some birddife.


Yours truly,


A. K. IIaagner,


Director, National Zoological Gardens, Pretoria.



i.e. Touraco.



