138 THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS OF EUROPE 



Another really beautiful house was the tropical 

 small-birds' house with oflass roof, the centre of the 

 hall being filled with plants, ferns, flowers, palms, and 

 some lovely orchids. The cages contained many rare 

 and gorgeously coloured birds from the tropics. Sper- 

 mestes mirahilis, a little geni from Australia, took my 

 fancy, and there were hundreds of brilliant paroquets 

 and parrots. 



Taken all round, this Garden has a remarkably fine 

 collection of animals and birds, and should rank about 

 sixth among the Gardens in Europe. 



