56 
HAMLYN'S MENAGERIE MAGAZINE. 
THAT the scientists of to-day have decided that 
Monkeys are susceptible to lung trouble but not 
to influenza. 
THAT by the kindness of Major A. H. Osman, 
Officer Commanding the Carrier Pigeon Ser- 
vice in France, the Zoological Gardens is now 
in possession of a complete mobile carrier pigeon 
loft, recently captured from the German Army 
at Fol'es, near Arras, France. 
The loft, erected complete, with 35 Ger- 
man carrier pigeons, as used on the Western 
front, can now be seen near the Bears' Terrace. 
Besides an entrance and exit for the birds, the 
loft contains separate numbered nesting-boxes 
for each pair of birds To the loft electric-bell 
wires are attached, and on the arrival of a 
bird with its message fastened below its wing 
an electric bell rings in the attendant's depart- 
ment or dug-out, the weight of the bird on the 
alighting board establishing contact. On the 
near approach of the British troops, the two 
Germans in charge attempted to set fire to the 
loft, and the marks of fire are still visible upon 
the woodwork inside, but our men quickly dis- 
patched the two Germans and extinguished the 
fire. There are many bullet-holes to be seen 
penetrating the outside frame. 
The attention of the public is directed to 
the fact that carrier pigeons are of great ser- 
vice to their country, and that if the birds are 
seen flying they should refrain from shooting 
them. 
THAT a very interesting lecture on "The Birds 
of the Orwell Valley" was given in the Museum 
Lecture Room, Ipswich, on Saturday by Mr. 
C. J. Palmer. 
The lecture covered a study of the birds 
special to the district, those of the River Orwell 
and the questions of bird flight and bird song. 
In conclusion, slides illustrating some of the 
points touched upon, and kindly lent by Mr. 
Frank Woolnough, were shown. A vote of 
thanks was proposed by Mr. H. Collinson and 
seconded bv Mr. H. Ogle. 
THAT my thanks go out to Dr. Frederick W. D' 
Evelyn, of San Francisco, for his most inter- 
esting Magazine sent regularly — "The National 
Humane Review." 
THAT a Pine Marten has been captured in County 
Clare. Yellowshank Sandpipers have been seen 
at Cirencester, Black Redstart in Herefordshire, 
the Little Owl in Middlesex, and the Red-legged 
Partridge in County Durham. 
THAT the following letter latelv appeared in the 
" Morning Post" :— 
Sir, — In the latest issued part of the Pro- 
ceedings of the Zoological Society of London 
a paper by the distinguished lepidopterist of 
the British Museum, Sir George Hampson, 
Bart., contains the following sentences: — 
"No quotations from German authors pub- 
lished since August 1st, 1914, are inserted. 
'Hostes humani generis'." May I draw at- 
tention to this commendable act of patriotism? 
Yours, etc., 
HENRY O. FORBES, F.Z.S. 
October 25th. 
THAT 1,198 Homing Pigeons arrived in the Til- 
bury Docks from Australia for the Government 
Pigeon Service Department. The travelling ar- 
rangements were excellent. 
THAT the Shoebill or Whale-headed Stork, has 
just died at the Zoological Gardens. Its unique 
style of beaut}- always aroused the interest of 
visitors. 
THAT the rearing of Black Foxes is now being 
considered in Prince Edward Island. The rais- 
ing of these valuable animals for their pelts 
had its birth in the island, and it has been con- 
clusively shown that the climate and conditions 
are especially adapted for the breeding and rear- 
ing of these now much-coveted creatures. There 
are now a hundred and sixty fox-ranches on the 
island, and the industry has a great future be- 
fore it. Skins of these animals have fetched 
from fifty pounds to six hundred pounds apiece, 
and the demand, as wild animals become scarcer 
and more difficult to catch, will be an ever- 
increasing one. In the very early days of the 
industry pure-bred foxes for breeding purposes 
changed hands at fabulous prices, seven thou- 
sand pounds having been given for a single 
pair. From two thousand to three thousand 
pounds was regarded as the ordinary price for 
a pair of good foxes. These, of course, were 
"boom" prices, but the industry has now passed 
the speculative stage and the rearing of these 
little creatures for their much-prized skins is 
undoubtedlv a most profitable business. 
Printed by VV. ]. Hasted & Son (T.U.), 306, Mile End Load, E. 3., and Published by J. D. Hamlyn, 2 2t, St. George- 
Street, London Docks, E. 1. 
