Correspondence, Notes, etc.



139



an order, are as insensitive to cold as Gulls, lie infers from the behaviour of

these particular Penguins that the Gulls would behave likewise if additional

opportunities were afforded them. If the Penguins in question were Ant¬

arctic birds the argument might have some weight. But I think Mr.

Wiener must have forgotten that they were newly imported in the autumn

from Cape Town, and belong to a species frequenting the coast of Cape

Colon}', where the mean annual temperature is the same as that of the

Mediterranean. This speaks for itself; but it is not all. Readers of the

Aviculiural Magazine who have not seen the aviary may conclude, T sur¬

mise, from Mr. Wiener’s words that it is inadequately supplied with shelter.

As a matter of fact ample protection is provided from the east and south¬

east winds by a mass of rockwork rising some 25 feet high and rugged with

jutting blocks and overhanging ledges; the northern winds are intercepted

or diverted by ranges of buildings constituting the Ostrich House, the

Apes House and the Pigsties: while even the warm but boisterous gales

from the sunny south and west are broken by trees and shrubbery. Surely

that is sufficient for birds that may be seen disporting in the ponds where

the ice has been broken to let them bathe!


R. I. Pocock, Zoological Society's Gardens.



Sir,— Those who think of the miserable way in which the majority

of the small foreign finches have been treated in the London Zoological

Society’s Gardens in the past will, it is to be hoped, respond to our Editor’s

call at p. 109, and rail}' in defence of our poor little friends who are once

more threatened with a life not fit for a blue-bottle. Mr. Wiener would

have us believe that these little creatures, just because they are little I

suppose, prefer close confinement with unnatural surroundings to com¬

parative liberty with as healthy and natural environments as may be

possible in the circumstances. .Some of us may not agree with Mr. Wiener.


For some years past there has been a growth of feeling amongst the

authorities at the Gardens that two things are needed in order to keep

creatures successfully in captivity—that they should have a snug shelter,

and also a “run” as much in conformity with each creature’s habits as

circumstances will permit. Exceptions in plenty there must be, and

diversities of application, but the principle is sound—as a general working

principle it cannot be improved upon. And this is the principle upon

which the new Bird House should be arranged.


Mr. Wiener has kept many birds during many years, and as a result

condemns aviaries and favours cages. I, too, have kept many birds

during many years, and as a result condemn cages and favour aviaries.

If I had space, I should not only build many aviaries but also larger

ones. The longer I live the more I detest cages; I have come to regard

a cage as a hospital for a sick bird, as a rest-house for a new arrival, but

as a home—NO !



