on Bare Birds in Continental Zoos.



163



17. Megacephalum maleo (Celebean maleo). The writer has

only seen one of these very rare birds, which was living at Am¬

sterdam in 1900. The crown of the head is not covered with a

large black casque,” as stated in books, for in the living bird this

helmet is bright blue. About the size of a small turkey, the maleo

is dark brown above and beautiful salmon pink below : it is handsome

and striking in appearance, and its absence from our aviaries is

much to be regretted.


18. Eurypyga helias (Sun Bittern). These pretty creatures

are expert fly-catchers, the long neck shooting out suddenly and the

fly being caught in the forceps-like beak. When standing these

birds sway slowly but continually from side to side, and this may in

the wild state be protective, the mottled plumage simulating sedges

swayed by the breeze. The Sun Bittern also has a curious habit of

rubbing its bill against the ground, as if sharpening it. Towards

evening these birds utter pleasing and oft-repeated whistles. A

fine pair noticed by the writer had lived some eight years in the

Jardin d’Acclimatation at Paris.


19. Gasuarius westermanni (Westerman’s Cassowary). This

fine species is named after Dr. G. F. Westerman, the founder of

the Amsterdam Zoological Society. The writer saw an example

living at Antwerp in 1900.


20. Apteryx mantelli (Mantell’s Apteryx). Several of these

rare birds used to be exhibited in the Continental Zoos: at Amsterdam

in 1899 they had both A. mantelli and A. oiveni. These birds are

exceedingly apathetic when roused in the daytime : if turned out of

bed they stand stupidly still, and after a few seconds run heavily

jorwards and dive under their straw.


The difficult problem of outdoor labelling seems to have been

solved at Amsterdam, the labels being inserted in glazed frames

which are then sealed up, and protected from the rain by a projecting

roof. One of these label stands is seen in the accompanying illustra¬

tion, the bird perched upon it being a Temminck s Pied Hornbill.



