on Bare Birds in Continental Zoos.



161



probably referable to this species, in a small dealer’s shop in Liver¬

pool about twelve years ago; another which was brought over with

it died on the voyage. The display of the Lesser Bird of Paradise

is very beautiful, the trailing flank plumes being raised high by the

bird, and a quivering movement imparted to them, much in the same

way as the peacock shakes its train when expanded, thus giving the

impression of a shower of eyes !


2 & 3. Lamprotornis nitens and L. aurata (Glossy Starlings).

A fine collection of these in the old Bird House at Amsterdam in¬

cluded one with several white feathers on the breast—a partial albino.


4. Prosthemadera novce-zealandice (Parson Bird). This species

is exceedingly rare in captivity, and in many years’ experience of

Zoological Gardens the writer has only seen one. This specimen—

a fine healthy bird—was living at Amsterdam in May, 1899, being

kept in a spacious outdoor flight well provided with growing shrubs.

The full and beautifully varied song for which the Parson Bird is

famous was not uttered during the writer’s visit, but the bird

emitted a few musical notes, followed by a harsh clanking sound.


5. Schizorhis concolor (Gape Lourie). One of these dull-

coloured Touracos was living in the Antwerp collection in June,

1913. Its sombre plumage and sluggish demeanour rendered it an

uninteresting exhibit, though if it had been kept in a roomy outdoor

aviary it would probably have become active and noisy. To the

writer it recalled some overgrown, over-sedate Mouse-bird ( Colius ),

though Mouse-birds are only distantly related to Touracos.


6. Prionotelus (Cuban Trogon). The Berlin Zoological Garden

possessed one specimen in June, 1909. In spite of its beauty this

species is sluggish and uninteresting, to be prized only for its rarity ;

a stuffed Trogon is almost as attractive as a live one.


7. Prionites ruficapillus { Motmot). One specimen—also beau¬

tiful, yet sluggish—was shown in the pretty little Bird House of the

Hamburg Zoo in June, 1909.


8. Deroptyus accipitrinus (Hawk-billed Parrot). One at

Amsterdam in 1899.


9. Pceoceplialus gulielmi (Jardine’s Parrot). One at Amster¬

dam in 1902.


10. Ketupa ceylonensis (Indian Fish Owl). This species was



