NOTES ON ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS. 317 



well stocked. Two beautiful Boat-billed Herons (Canchroma cochlearia) sat 

 on their respective perches, one bird having the feathers at the base of the 

 bill a delicate lemon-yellow, the other bird having the same feathers white. 

 Photodilus badius sat sleepily on its perch, gazing on the spectator with all 

 the dignity expected of an Owl which unites in the anatomy of its skull 

 the characters of the Strigid<£ and Bubonidce. The glossy Starlings were 

 well represented by the West African Jidda cenea, with its long tail ; 

 Lamprotomis chalybea, metallic green ; L. nitens, a lovely bird with bright 

 bluish reflections on side of breast ; and the yet more lovely L. aurata, 

 metallic greenish blue all over head and breast, with metallic purple 

 reflections under chin, and green wings and tail. The smaller birds 

 included the Estrelata caruleseens, of an exquisitely delicate bluish grey, 

 with crimson lores and under tail-coverts. The collection of Parrots was 

 very comprehensive, and contained the rare Hawk-billed Parrot (Deroptynus 

 accipitrinus). The Cockatoos were lively and in fine voice, screeching 

 furiously and unitedly to form a most unmelodious concert. The Parrot- 

 lets were represented by the pretty little Psittacula galgula, with green 

 plumage, varied by the yellow on the nape of the neck and the crimson of 

 the throat and upper tail-coverts. The Kiwis (Apteryx mantelli and A. 

 oweni) slept snugly under their straw, till I was able to induce the keeper 

 to dislodge them for me to photograph. Cranes were represented in great 

 variety, and amongst other allied birds I noted were the Goliath Heron 

 (Ardea goliath), the Straw-necked Ibis (Ibis spinicollis), and the White 

 Egret, so shamefully persecuted for its plumes, which now everywhere 

 (including, I am sorry to say, Holland and Belgium) adorn women's hats 

 under the name of " aigrettes." In an adjoining aviary was a beautiful 

 Rose-coloured Pastor (Pastor roseus), and several Bower-birds. 1 was much 

 interested to hear the vocal performance of the Parson-bird (Prosthemadera 

 nova-zealandia), consisting of a few musical notes followed by a harsh 

 clanking sound. The extensive list of birds of prey included the American 

 Black Vulture (Catharista atrata) said the Fishing Owl (Ketupa ceylonensis). 

 The Aquarium was a splendid building, the interior being very fine. 

 Perhaps the prettiest tank was one full of large Gold-fish of a fiery red, 

 contrasting well with the sanded floor and the delicate green Vallisneria 

 plants. The tanks faced each other; on one side of the hall were the 

 marine tanks, on the other fresh-water fish were exhibited. In the marine 

 series I may mention the viviparous Blennies (Zoarces viviparus), crowded 

 together at the bottom of their tank in dozens ; Herrings (Clupea harengus) 

 in multitudes; a huge grey Wolf-fish (Anarrhichas lupus), its great jaws 

 almost touching the glass ; and some small Sturgeons (Acipenser sturio) of 

 different sizes. Three Silurus (Silurus glanis), each about five feet long, 

 were shown in a tank of fresh water. The room at the end of the Aquarium- 



