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Mr. D. Seth-Smith,



Another very charming bird, of which we have a pair, is the

Black and White Fantail ( Bhipidura tricolor). It is a most familiar

bird and a great favourite in most parts of Australia where it is

called “Wagtail,” “Willie Wagtail,” or “ Shepherd’s Companion.’’

Its long, fanlike tail is constantly swayed from side to side, as it

settles on a post, branch or the ground with a fly or other insect in

its bill which it has captured in the air. Its head, neck, chest, back

and tail are black, its underparts and a streak above the eye, white.

A cock and two hens of the White-browed Wood-Swallow ( Artamus

superciliosus ) are also very desirable additions to our collection, for

they too are most attractive birds and very handsome. But of

more interest, because we have never had them before, are a pair of

White-shouldered Caterpillar-eaters (. Lalage tricolor ), the male of

which is black and white and the female brown. There are five

species of Honey-eaters in the collection of Australian birds, namely

the Wattle-bird, the Spiny-cheeked, the White-cheeked, the Yellow-

tufted and the Lunulated Honey-eater. Of these the White-cheeked

is the most beautiful, a singularly handsome bird, black and white

with conspicuous white cheek-tufts and yellow on the wings.


The Australian Robins ( Petrceca ) are amongst the most

striking of all the Australian birds, and we are very glad to have on

deposit from Mr. Ezra a pair of the Scarlet-breasted Robin (P. leggi)

the male of which has the breast of flaming scarlet; the forehead,

underparts and a patch on the wings white, and the head and

back black. The female is brownish in colour with a tinge of

scarlet on the breast. These and a hen of the Flame-breasted Robin

(P. phcenicea) are the first specimens of the genus that have ever

been exhibited in the Zoological Gardens.


The Sunbirds are becoming very popular just now with avi-

culturists, since a few enthusiasts, notably Mr. Alfred Ezra have

shown that they are by no means difficult birds to keep, some species

being apparently hardy in fact. I have no doubt that before long

these lovely birds will be imported freely. At the Zoological

Gardens we have a very fine male of the Southern Malachite Sun-

bird ( Nectarinia famosa ) recently purchased. It is a common

species in South Africa and an extremely beautiful one.


Four other rarities which have been presented to us by Mr.



