13



Sept. 30 2 Lanceolated Jaj’S —Garrulus lanceolatus


Hymalayas. Western Aviary.


1 Eclectus —Eclectus (sp. inc.) Parrot House.


Among the new arrivals, the Maroon Oriole is, perhaps,

the scarcest and least known ; it is now to be found in the

Western Aviary, and is a very disappointing bird to view, being

of a sombre brown, the edges of the breast-feathers edged with

white, and the vent and under tail-coverts, yellow. Although

rather wild, it seemed in splendid health and well accustomed to

its new quarters. In the same aviary was a Hoopoe, a splendid

bird and remarkably tame. These birds would, I think, form

excellent aviary birds, and I wonder they are not more widely

kept. I looked in vain for the new Eclectus in the Parrot House,

but fancy they must have been placed ‘behind the scenes.’ The

Parrot House, to those who can put up with the noise and heat,

is well worth a visit ; for apart from a very good collection of

Parrots and Parrakeets, many in perfect condition, there are

several very fine Toucans, especially a Toco Toucan (. Ramphastes

toco ) which is as fine a bird as it has ever been my lot to see in

captivity. The recently-arrived specimen of the Regent Bird is

also there, but it is a dull coloured bird, though in the best of

health aud condition.


There were several Tanagers and Honey-eaters. The

former crowded together in Parrot Cages, in which it would be

impossible for any bird to do itself justice. The latter were,

however, rather better treated, and the best of these were a

pair of Yellow-tufted Honey-eaters ( Phornis ciuricornis ) in dark

green plumage, with gorgeous yellow gorget.


In the Western Aviary are a nice collection of Doves,

including all the kinds usually kept in confinement. A splendid

specimen of the Eong-tailed Glossy Starling (. Lamprotornis ceneus )

a bird closely allied to the Green Gloss3^ Starling, but having a

tail like a Whydali Bird, shared an aviary with a Sun Bittern and

two beautiful Australian Rails (. Rallies pectoralis ) ; next door to

them might be seen a nice collection of British Shore Birds, and

several species of Whvdahs and Weavers. The Crows’ Cages

well repay a visit, most of the birds being clean-moulted and in

good trim. The Australian Piping Crow will alwa} ? s whistle a

tune, and, if you are not careful, a Magpie will shake your hand

in rather a forcible manner.


Among the larger birds the King Penguin, near the Lion

House, should not be missed ; it is a bird from Antarctic Seas,

very rarely seen in confinement, and it is at present in very good

condition.



