205



The arrivals this month, which are fairly numerous, con¬

tain two species new to the collection, viz. : four Indian Starlings

and five Sordid Wood Swallows. I am sorry to say that I have

been unable to get to the Gardens this month, and am therefore

unable to give any notes on the new arrivals, but the other

specimens which would be worth a visit are the Tiger Bittern,

Black and White Geese, and the Touracous ; the last named I

dealt with a few months ago, but the Black and White Geese

deserve some special mention. They are chiefly remarkable for

the formation of their feet, which are only partially webbed.

The front toes have only a small web at their base, while the

hind toe, which is long and rises from the same level as the

other toes, bears a large claw. As might be expected from such

a structure, these birds perch freely on trees, and but seldom

take to the water. Their plumage is black and white, and their

beak, which is slightly hooked, carries at its base a large warty

prominence. This aberrant bird has yet one more point of

divergence. The windpipe is coiled back on itself as in the

swan; but whereas in the last named it is coiled within the

sternum or breast-bone, in this species it lies pressed against

the side. It is the only species of its genus, and is not un¬

common where it occurs.


A slight error in my last month’s notes has been pointed

out to me when I referred to the Hybrid Herring Gulls as being

free breeders in private aviaries. Gulls as a rule are free

breeders in captivity, but I believe the Hybrid mentioned has

only been bred at the Gardens, where the same pair have nested

for several years.



USEFUL MEMS. FOR AVICULTURISTS.


By The Rev. C. D. Farrar.


1. Never leave a can full of water about in the aviary.

You may go out and forget all about it; but some inquisitive

birds won’t, and next time 3 r ou come for the can there will be

an inquest.


2. A “net” is a useful, nay a necessary part of the bird-

room furniture ; but do not leave it propped up against the wall.

If you do, I will venture to say that some fine day you will find

the bird you least wanted to lose, dead inside it. Take the net

out when you go, and only bring it back when needed.


3. Do not leave a small hole open between the aviaries ;

if so, the insectivorous bird out of one will get into the seed



