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Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens.


The Superintendent of the Zoological Gardens, Alipur,

Calcutta, has kindly informed me that he has several Koklas in

the collection ; that some have been living in the Gardens for

the last five years, but that they have never bred in captivity.

He adds that “ though these birds are denizens of a cold climate,

they bear captivity in the plains of Bengal much better than the

Bengal Green Pigeons.”



BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.


By The Curator.


Although the weather during the past month has been

anything but ideal, the feeling of Spring has had a marked effect

upon the birds. A pair of Earl’s Weka Rails have gone so far as

to hatch one sturdy black chick from a clutch of three eggs ; a

pair of Andaman Teal have made a nest in one of the boxes fixed

on a post some four or five feet above the ground ; Egyptian

Geese are sitting, while both Elliot’s and Peacock Pheasants

have commenced to lay. Birds, like plants, seem to be some

weeks ahead of their time this spring.


One of the most interesting sights which can be seen

almost any day now is the wonderful display of the male Peacock

Pheasants about which Mr. Pocock gave us such an excellent

paper last year. He begins by scratching the ground for some

tit-bit, having found which, he holds it in his bill and with a

series of clucking sounds calls the hen. As she approaches he

gradually lowers his breast and expands the tail and wings.

When the lien is within a foot or so, with a forward jerk of the

head he throws the grain of seed or whatever he is holding,

towards her, and expands the tail and wings to the utmost

extent, while the head is pressed down sideways against the

wing. He looks like nothing so much as a fan set with jewels.


Amongst the arrivals for the past month are two rare

Indian birds, kindly presented by Mr. Alfred Ezra, namely, a

Racket-tailed Drongo and a White-capped Robin, the latter of

which is only the second example the Society has possessed.


Another noteworthy addition is a splendid adult example



