The Pekin Robin in London.



317



in years gone by, Kiwis have occasionally laid eggs, and it lias-

been ascertained that the male, the smaller bird, undertakes the

duties of incubation. No young bird has ever been hatched in

Europe, so far as we are aware.


It is sincerely to be hoped that the specimens now at the

Zoological Gardens may do well, and that in time they will breed,

and so settle many points connected with the natural history of

this extraordinary creature, which, there is reason to fear, is

doomed to extinction before very long, thanks to the introduction

into New Zealand of innumerable cats, stoats, ferrets, and other

obnoxious vermin. D. S.-S.



THE PEKIN ROBIN IN LONDON.


Those members who, like myself, are interested in avicul¬

ture in the open, will be glad to hear that the Pekin Robins I

turned out this year appear to be still doing well in the London

parks.


The fact of the liberation of the birds was announced in

the press at the time of release of the first batch, in St. Janies’

Park before Easter. In all I turned out here about thirty speci¬

mens : and a little later, in Regent’s Park, about fifteen. Of

these latter half-a-dozen were very kindly contributed by Mr.

J. D. Harulyn, before his departure for West Africa.


From time to time I have heard news of the birds, and this

was never unfavourable, as none seem to have come to grief; a

day or two before writing this (July 15th) the bird-keeper at St.

James’ Park told me he had just seen one near his house, and a

little before a pair in Hyde Park. In all probability they have

bred in various places by this time.


I have heard that His Grace the Duke of Bedford has had

these birds loose on the estate at Woburn Abbey for about two-

years ; perhaps Her Grace the Duchess, as one of our members,,

would be kind enough to let us know how they have got on

there.


In conclusion, may I ask any of our members who may

have a Pekin Robin which is not wanted, to liberate it in one of

the parks in London, now that a nucleus has been established for



