Photographs by W. P. Dando, F'.Z.S8. 
MOUNTAIN-WITCH. 
BLACK-NECKED SWAN 
ZOO NOTES. 
THIS curious species (Geotryyon cristata) 1s 
The one of the most beautiful birds 
Mountain= found in Jamaica, its native 
Match Doves country, so far as coloration 
is concerned, being of a rich purple-maroon 
above, with grey cap and breast and cinna- 
mon quills. In grace of form, however, like 
most of the highly-coloured doves, it is far 
inferior to our British Turtle-Dove (Tartur 
auritus), or to its caged relative, the Collared 
Dove (ZT. risorius). It is also rather ridiculous 
in appearance when on the move, as its tail 
gives a peculiar jerk with each step, as if 
connected in 
some way 
with the 
HOO Jah Ws 
rather a 
large bird 
for a dove, 
bemg about 
as big as 
the common 
pigeon. 
though not 
by any means 
Al SS 
COMMON OTTER. 
common in captivity, it may in future be 
better known, as it has bred in the 
Zoological Gardens. It would appear to 
require some animal food, as one of the 
Zoological Society's specimens was recently 
seen by the writer of this note to pick up 
and devour an earthworm about three inches 
long. The curious name of Mountain-Witch 
has apparently been given to it in Jamaica 
on account of its mountain habitat and 
pecuhar note, which is said to recall the 
groans of a dying man. It is a ground bird, 
and prefers to run away rather than fly. 
Ws. 
ciudad 
QUITE unique 
The 
Black=-Necked 
Swan. 
among the 
Swansis this, 
the Cygnus 
se nigricollis 
of ornitholo- 
gists, which 
inhabits the 
212 
