16 
HAMLYN'S MENAGERIE MAGAZINE. 
THAT visiting our Gardens in May, I observed 
a pair of Manicodes in outside aviary; a Hybrid 
Thrush-Blackbird deposited by Lord Roths- 
child; also a pair of Cape White-eyes with one 
youngster, just eleven days old. I trust it still 
survives. 
THAT Mr. H. C. Brooke, writing to "Country 
Life," mentions a new variety of Rat — a Dutch- 
headed Rat : — 
"Sir, — For many years fanciers and scien- 
tists at home and abroad have been experi- 
menting to see whether the "hood" or head and 
neck colouring of the bicoloured tame! rat can- 
not be broken up. Not so very long ago a well 
known writer on fancy and natural history sub- 
jects wrote : " It is doubtful whether a bicol- 
oured rat has ever been produced without a 
hood, which is a most persistent characteristic 
in every colour." Most experiments have come 
to a full stop when the hood has been much re- 
duced in size, apparently in many cases through 
sterility, induced by over-inbreeding. From a 
fancy point of view a head marking similar to 
that shown by the Dutch rabbit — a colour patch 
from eye to ear on each side, white blaze down 
centre of head and face — is desired, though 
hitherto unattained. I have now after years of 
labour succeeded in building up' a strain of 
such "Dutch-headed" rats, and send you a 
photograph of one. He is not quite ideal, the 
blaze not being quite central nor the patches of 
even size; still, he is an absolute novelty. I have 
now some youngsters by him with central blaze 
and equal-sized patches. — H. C. Brooke." 
THAT by Proclamation published in "The London 
Gazette," May 10th, the importation of Wild 
Animals is prohibited into the United Kingdom. 
There are many thousands of other goods 
prohibited which is gradually bringing the trade 
of this country to a standstill. 
THAT Commander J. W. Rainer, R.N. (of the 
" Swiftsure") has presented a baby Chimpanzee 
to the Regents Park collection. This has been 
lodged in the Lemur House, in the north part 
of the Gardens. 
THAT the Transvaal Zoological Gardens (other- 
wise known as the Pretoria. Zoo) is in future to 
be known as the National Zoological Gardens, 
says the "Pretoria News." This at first sight 
appears unimportant, but the real significance 
is that it must remain under the Union control, 
and will not be at the mercy of the Provincial 
Council. The name strengthens the Committee 
in so far that it gives them the right to appeal 
to the whole of South Africa. 
THAT a new Viscacha has been presented to the 
Zoological Gardens, Regents Park, by Mr. W. 
A. Smithers -from the Argentine pampas. 
THAT the New York Zoological Society's Bulle- 
tin, January, 1917, is just to hand. 
It has most interesting reading, more es- 
pecially "The Alligators of Georgetown (Wil- 
liam Beebe), "The Oval Ant Frog" (Richard 
Deckert), " Breeding Birds" (Lee S. Crandall), 
"Disappearance of Ruffed Grouse"; also "A 
Great Drive for Bird Protection" (W. T. Horn- 
aday), "Wild Birds Bred in the United States" 
(Lee S. Crandall). 
THAT the June number of the " Avicultural Maga- 
zine" contains the usual quantity of g©od arti- 
cles contributed by the Editor, Messrs. A. G. 
Butler, Maurice Amsler, Allan Silver, and 
others. 
THAT the arrivals in London and Liverpool have 
been very few during the last four weeks : — 3 
Chimpanzees, 20 mixed Monkeys, few Grey Par- 
rots, '3 Indian Python .Snakes (16i feet long), 
and usual small stock. 
THAT 600 wounded soldiers have been entertained 
at the Zoological Gardens, Clifton, Bristol. The 
Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of. Bristol 
attended. 
THAT the Gorilla at the Dublin Zoological Gar- 
dens died on May 23rd, 1917. This animal ar- 
rived in Dublin, January 28th, 1914, having 
arrived in Liverpool a few days previously. I 
believe this constitutes a record for the British 
Isles. 
THAT a Cordovan Skunk has been presented to 
the Regents Park collection by Mr. William 
Smithers. 
This interesting little animal is considered 
a new variety found in South America. 
THAT Captain Jack Bonavita, the famous animal 
trainer, has died at Los Angeles, California, as 
the result of injuries suffered in a«struggle with 
a polar bear. He was putting the bear through 
its customary tricks, when the animal became 
enraged and attacked him. The trainer was 
saved from immediate death by a policeman, 
who fired six bullets into the infuriated bear, 
killing it instantly. 
Printed by \V. ]. Hasted & Son (T.U.), ;o6, Mile End Road, E 1., and Fublished by J. D. Hamlvn, 221, £t. George's 
Street, London Docks, E 1. 
