206 Birds Notes from the Zoological Gardens.


The coloured plates, which are liberally distributed

through the volumes, are all by Mr. Gronvold, and, although we

naturally like some much better than others, they are on the

whole admirably done.



BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.



With the advent of Spring the Zoological Gardens become

particularly attractive to lovers of animals, and especially to

aviculturists, for many of the inmates are turning their attention

to serious duties of nest-building and the rearing of theiryoung.

Even iu March, despite the frequent visitations of piercing winds

or winter-like sleet, the hardier birds commence to construct

their nests in earnest. In February the Griffon Vultures showed

unmistalceable signs that they wished to construct a nest, and it

was a curious sight to witness these ungainly creatures carrying

bits of stick, to the framework which Mr. Bertling, the head-

keeper, had fixed np for them. Bundles of sticks and twigs were

supplied, and in a short time the birds had collected together

enough to form a rude nest, and one egg was laid early in

March. A serious attempt was made by the birds to incubate,

but they ruined their chances of success by carrying up a bone

and breaking their egg with it. It is to be hoped that they will

make another attempt.


The Cape Eagle Owls have laid, but have eaten their

eggs, pieces of the shell being cast up with their pellets.


Several species of Doves and Pigeons are already showing

signs of nesting, and some are even now sitting.


In the October number of this journal, for last year, the

arrival of no less than five Birds of Paradise, in Mrs. Johnstone’s

aviaries, was recorded, these consisting of two King Birds

(Cicinnurus reams'), a Greater {Paradisea apoda), and two Lesser

(/*. minor). The two Kings were acquired by the Zoological

Society in October last, and have since occupied an aviary in the

Insect House, where they have done well. Quite recently the

three others have been placed on deposit at the Gardens, and

occupy other compartments in the same house; so that at the

present time there are no less than three species of these superb



