MARCH. 57 



guide to the Gardens; that has already been excellently done by 

 Dr. Sclater. I do intend jotting down, however, a few notes of the 

 specimens I saw, with here and there an observation or two as to any 

 peculiarity which struck me. The official "Guide to the Gardens" 

 does not, of course, contain anything like a complete list of the 

 various specimens on view, merely naming, as I take it, the most 

 important representatives of the various groups exhibited. Thus, as 

 at this date, these somewhat detailed notes may be found interesting 

 and useful to my readers. 



I propose to mention the specimens just as I came across them, 

 wandering without a guide at my own sweet will, so that no 

 classifications of any kind are made. 



A fine pair of Common Buzzards first caught my eye, but my 

 attention was soon distracted from these birds by a glance at the 

 Bateleur Eagle. Was ever there a more extraordinary bird? Singular 

 indeed is its appearance; the brilliant coral-coloured legs and cere, 

 are well set off against the grey, chestnut, and black plumage. The 

 shortness of the tail, too, adds to the attractiveness of this African 

 Eagle. Perching in the splendidly-kept Aviary he looked the picture 

 of health, in the best of plumage, and seemed quite happy and at 

 peace with all the world, but loosen one or two of those iron bars, 

 and there might possibly be another tale to unfold. An impudent 

 House Sparrow, perching on the top bars, did not in any way disturb 

 him. Hereabouts I also saw the Spotted Eagle, White-bellied Sea 

 Eagle, the Condor (the largest representative of its family), Condor 

 Vulture, Cinereous Vulture (from South Europe), Ruppell's Vulture 

 (a most curious Vulture, having a grey fluffy-feathered head, and 

 exceedingly small), Griffon Vulture (one of the best known of the 

 Vultures), which, once upon a time, as the story books say, winged its 

 way in far Morocco or Egypt. The Tawny Eagle is well worth 

 studying, whilst the Slaty Buzzard is a very lovely bird. Not far away 

 I saw the Chilian Sea Eagle, and the White-tailed species, the latter, of 

 course, a British breeding bird, but being slowly exterminated, and 

 the Vociferous Sea Eagle. Vociferous is right, for, as I stood watching, 

 it gave vent to the most unearthly whimpering I ever heard, for all the 

 world like the whining of a dog. The Corean Sea Eagle was the last 

 Eagle I observed in this locality. Turning round, the brown, black, 

 and white of the Sheldrake, or Burrow Duck, met my gaze on one of 

 the Duck ponds, as also the Variegated Sheldrake, Garganey, Teal and 

 Ruddy Sheldrake, asleep on the brick coping at the edge of the water. 

 This bird breeds regularly in the Gardens every year. The Upland 



