12 



With this view they therefore determined on completing 

 the Great Aviary which was commenced in 1848, and 

 of which the plan had consequently been well tested by 

 experience. 



The great attraction to Visitors which is presented by 

 the Collection of Carnivora, rendered some provision for 

 their accommodation absolutely necessary on the South 

 side of the Terrace. The Bank which formerly existed 

 there has consequently been converted into two raised 

 walks of 6 and S feet in width respectively, with easy ap- 

 proaches and an exit at the Western end. It is calculated 

 that this improvement will admit of nearly 3000 persons 

 standing in front of the Terrace Dens at one time. 



The Society being now in possession of a most charac- 

 teristic Collection of the larger Rapacious Birds, which 

 have never been suitably exhibited, an Aviary, which will 

 contain at least twenty species, has been erected in the 

 vicinity of the Collection of Carnivora. This building 

 presents a combined frontage of 180 feet, 90 feet in each 

 front, with a height in the wired inclosures of 1 2 feet and 

 20 feet respectively. 



The increasing Collection of Reptiles having urgently 

 required an extension of room, a length of forty- two feet 

 has been added to the cases in which they are exhibited, 

 with such improvements in their accommodation as the 

 size of the house and the convenience of Visitors would 

 admit. 



The Walks throughout the Garden have been put into 

 a substantial state of repair, which was imperatively required 

 by the immense increase of friction to which they have 

 latterly been subjected. The principal Walks have been 

 widened ; and generally, every provision has been made 

 towards placing the establishment in a creditable and ef- 

 fective condition during the season which is now on the 

 eve of commencement. 



In still further aid, however, of this intention, the 

 Council have availed themselves of an opportunity which 

 has presented itself of illustrating in a novel and instructive 

 manner, one of the most interesting and beautiful groups 

 in nature, which has hitherto defied all attempts in the 

 Vivarium, and which it is almost impossible that any 

 future attempts can realise. In the celebrated collection 

 of Trochilid.e, or Humming-Birds, which Mr. Gould 



