HAMLYN'S MENAGERIE MAGAZINE. 
£294 


... 328 
4 
11 
... 606 
18 
7 
£ 1,22 9 
3 
6 
£ s. d. 
Freight — Calcutta, London to New 
York , 184 0' 
Insurances — Calcutta, London, New 
York 50 
Port of London, Labour, Incidentals, 
etc. 60' 0' 
Comrie Castle" ... 
'City of Bombay - ' 
The whole amounting to twelve hundred and 
twenty-nine pounds three shillings and sixpence 
for Expenses only — good American money dis- 
tributed to British Enterprises in spite of the 
imbecile opposition of my own countrymen. 
The above three consignments arrived within 
three weeks, and the latter two are leaving on 
the s.s. "Minnehaha" this month. 
Whilst on the question of exports and general 
trade it might amuse my readers to relate one of 
my many experiences with the War Trade Depart- 
ment and Customs. 
I trust that the officials concerned will take 
my remarks in good part. Throughout my forty 
years of shipping life, I have always received the 
greatest consideration from the officials of His 
Majesty's Customs. For many years past I have 
purchased the surplus Deer, Pheasants and 
Waterfowl from the Royal Parks, The London 
County Council Parks, and the majority of Public 
Parks in Great Britain. 
During the last two years large quantities of 
stock have been purchased for export to New 
York. 
At the beginning of March I received the sur- 
plus Ducks, Geese and Pheasants from the L.C.C. 
Parks. 
They wished to economise in Foodstuffs. On 
my part I only purchased them for New York. 
I decided to forward the fancy Pheasants and 
Waterfowl by the s.s. "Lapland" sailing from 
Liverpool on the 5th March last. On my repre- 
sentative arriving alongside the steamer with the 
consignment, he was interviewed by a Customs 
official, who expressed great horro'r, combined 
with a deal of indignation, at valuable "food- 
stuffs" leaving the country. It was explained 
they were Swinhoe, Reeve's, Golden, and other 
fancy Pheasants. The explanation was useless. 
Full particulars were telephoned me to London. 
I immediately proceeded to the Custom House to 
ask No. 66 Room to advise Liverpool to allow 
shipment, Fancy Pheasants of this variety not 
being- articles of food. 
The question at issue appeared to be much 
too serious for No. 66 to decide. They must con- 
sult the War Trade Department. Meanwhile I 
was lectured on the heinousness of breeding fancy 
Pheasants. 
In vain I explained I was rendering a national 
service in clearing out public parks and thus 
saving foodstuffs. The War Trade Department, 
not knowing what to do, fell in with the sugges- 
tion of No. 66, and declined to sanction the ex- 
port. The Pheasants were consequently returned 
to London' at a great expense. But I wish to 
assure my readers that all these Pheasants were 
sold after all. 
In conclusion, I give herewith copy of letter 
from the London County Council, dated 8th 
March, 1917, from 11, Regent Street, S.W. :— 
"To whom it may concern — 
I have to state that Mr. J. D. Hamlyn, of 
221, St. George Street, E. , has on several oc- 
casions purchased the surplus stock of Water- 
fowl, Pheasants, and other fancy birds kept 
for exhibition at the Council's Parks. I under- 
stand that he exports these birds to America. 
"With a view to economy the Parks Com- 
mitteemen the 16th ult. decided to make further 
reductions in the stock, and a number of birds, 
including Golden, Silver, and other fancy Pheas- 
ants, have been purchased by Mr. Hamlyn. 
Yours faithfully, 
(Signed) F. W. PARKER, 
Second Officer." 
After reading the above it seems hardly credi- 
ble that responsible intelligent officials should 
raise such simian objections to this trade. 
On the variability in the nature or tem- 
perament of Wild Animals in captivity, 
with special reference to South African 
Species. 
By Alwix K. Haagner, F.Z.S., 
Director, National Zoological Gardens, Pretoria. 
It has often struck me during my six years' 
connection with the Transvaal Zoological' Gar- 
dens — first as Superintendent and then as Direc- 
tor — how the temperament of a wild animal often 
changes in captivity — i.e., how different it may 
become from the ordinary nature of the beast in 
its wild state. One peculiar point in this connec- 
tion is the fact — first noticed by the late A. D. 
