Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens.



321



though one specimen of A. scolopaceus was obtained in 1874, which

lived but a few days.


The pair of Cotton Teal, given to us by Mr. Ezra some

months ago and already mentioned in this journal by Mr. Astley,

appear to be thriving well in the small aviary at the end of the

Diving Bird. House. Mr. Astley very kindly gave us a second pair,

but they were some that had been delayed for some weeks on the

Continent, and the long close confinement resulted in their contract¬

ing' tuberculosis, from which they soon succumbed.


An example of the Black-necked Stork ( Xenorhynchus asia-

ticus) received on July 28th is an important addition to the collection

as it is a good many years since a specimen was represented in the

collection. It is a large and handsome Stork with greenish black

head and neck, black wing-coverts and white body and a most

formidable bill. It is locally distributed in suitable localities

throughout India, Ceylon, Burma, and right away to Australia.


The Small Bird House and Summer Aviaries contain just now

a very interesting collection, as a good many new birds have been

added recently. Mr. Heumann brought home a fine collection of

Australian birds at the beginning of July, and of these the Zoological

Society acquired several, and a number were most generously pre¬

sented by Mr. Alfred Ezra. Foremost among these may be mentioned

the charming Blue Wren, one of the most familiar of the birds of

the Eastern State of Australia. The male when in colour has the

crown and back of a most brilliant enamel-like blue, relieved by jet

black, his long tail, which is carried erect, being of a dull indigo blue

The little hen is his exact count erpart in shape and carriage but of a

mouse-brown, with a reddish tinge round the eyes. In Australia

these little birds go about in family parties, generally consisting of a

male in colour, one or two out of colour, distinguished from the

female by the bluish tail and absence of red round the eyes, and

several females. They occur in almost every garden where there is

plenty of cover, frequently coming out of the low bushes and hunting

tiny insects in the grass or flower beds. It will be remembered by

the older members of the Avicultural Society that Mr. Reginald

Phillipps actually bred this species in his garden in London about

ten years ago.



