28 



THE HUMMING BIRD. 



[April i, 1 89 1 



Length from point of bill to upper tail coverts: 

 male, 3 - 8 ; female, 37; male (juv.), 3-7. Bill on 

 culmen, "45. Wings from carpal joint, fifth feather 

 longest, 2*2. Tail, from end of upper tail coverts, 

 male, 2*2; female, 2 - i ; male juv., 2'4S. Tarsi, "93. 

 These two species with M. lamberti were the only 

 members of the genus that were procured in this col- 

 lecting trip, in which I accompanied the late Thomas 

 Henry Bourger-Bower as naturalist, who, to my great 

 sorrow and distress, contracted the malarial fever, 

 which turned to typhoid, and culminated in his death 

 at Palmerston, Port Darwin, Northern Territory, on 

 December 23rd, 1886. Scientific naturalists and 

 society at large have to regret the loss of such a prac- 

 tical and zealous collector and gentleman and myself 

 the loss of a true friend. 



" The Lord alone did lead him." 



Walter Burton. 



A Visit to the Gardens of the Zoological 

 Society of London. 



A few days ago I went and spent a few hours in 

 the gardens of the Zoological Society of London, and 

 I was happy to see how Londoners and others con- 

 tinue to patronise the said gardens, which shows their 

 good sense. 



It is really a magnificent institution, and it is easy 

 to see that everything is done in such good style that 

 it can only prosper more and more every day. Every- 

 thing is in best order, and there is an infinite number 

 of rare animals from all parts of the world to be seen. 

 No one can go there without being interested in all 

 what he sees. 



My compliments to Doctor Philip Lutley Sclater, 

 Secretary of the Zoological Society ; to Mr. Bartlett, 

 Superintendent of the Gardens, and to all those who 

 are under their direction. 



A very useful Guide to the Gardens, sold at the 

 moderate price of sixpence, is indispensable to all 

 those who really want to see in detail all the zoological 

 treasures quartered in the Gardens. 



In the Western Aviary can be admired the extra- 

 ordinary Satin Bower birds {Ptilonorhynchus viola- 

 ceus), which are constantly seen in search of materials 

 of all descriptions for the construction of their nest, 

 with a sort of gallery around it, where they disport 

 themselves like school boys "in vacation. 



The Laughing Kingfisher {Dacelo giganieus), 

 the largest species known of that family, is also an 

 interesting bird to observe and hear when it laughs. 



Another very interesting species of bird is the 

 Crowned Pigeon (Goura coronata), one of the most 

 magnificent birds to be seen. It is originary from 

 New Guinea, and is among other allied species, one 

 of the largest of pigeons known. 



Then we have the Cranes and Storks of all descrip- 

 tions and sizes, among which the extraordinary 

 Marabout (Leptofitilus crumeniferus) with its enor- 

 mous pouch ; the different species of Emeits and 

 Rhea, the Pelicans, the Eagles and Owls, the magnifi 

 cent collection of Parrots, containing many of the 

 rarest species, the Hornbills, the large series of rare 



Pheasants, Tragopans, and Monals, Ducks and Swans, 

 Ostriches, the Australian Cassowary, the Aptéryx, 

 and lastly the large Aviary, where are located an 

 immense number of small bright tropical birds, doves, 

 and another with many species of British birds. 



In Mammals, the Monkeys' House attracts always 

 a great deal of attention, and it is sometimes difficult 

 to effectuate an entrance. 



Actually there are several rare species, amongst 

 which are two Chimpanzees. These large monkeys, 

 which natives of Africa call Idlers, saying : " You not 

 speak, because not want to work." These last are 

 housed in what used to be the old Reptiles' House. 



The Lions' House is also one of the places where 

 the public is always numerous, especially at feeding 

 time. 



One never tires to admire these magnificent 

 animals, justly called the Kings of the Desert, and 

 also the Royal Tigers, another noble animal. The 

 many species of Leopards, and the Puma, are also a 

 great attraction. The Antelopes and Deers are very 

 interesting to look at ; the different species of Bears, 

 the Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus, Giraffes, Elephants, 

 Zebrae, Brazilian Tapirs, Beavers, Sea Lions and, 

 many others too long to enumerate. Then there is the 

 Reptile's House, which is a real palace, and lastly, 

 the Aquarium and Insectorium. 



It is impossible to pass a few hours better than 

 those passed in the Gardens of the Zoological Society, 

 where everything is interesting. Health and know- 

 ledge is acquired in going there, and I hope that this 

 sensible taste for live animals will continue to accrue 

 every day. By going as many times as you can in 

 the year you will contribute to increase the resources of 

 the Society, which has no other ambition than to make 

 it as perfect and as interesting as possible to the 

 genera] public. All the money received from the 

 visitors is spent in ameliorations of all sorts, in pur- 

 chasing rare animals, and in the expenses of the 

 undertaking, all for the benefit of the public. 

 Actually, the Society is in parley for the purchase of 

 two very rare species of Pheasants brought over to 

 England from Thibet per Mr. Antwerp E. Piatt. One 

 is the excessively rare Lophophorus FHuysei, and the 

 other is Crossoptilon ihibetanum, two species never 

 brought to Europe belore. I hope the Society will 

 be able to secure them. 



A. B. 



British Museum (Zoological Department.) 



The celebrated Professor Thomas Salvadori of 

 Turin (Italy) has been working every day since the 

 last five months, at the large and fine collection 

 of Psittacidae of the British Museum. His work is 

 nearly completed and the Volume containing descrip- 

 tions of all the Parrots known will shortly appear. I 

 have no doubt that it will be very complete and very 

 interesting to all Ornithologists, Professor Salvadori 

 having done this work con amore. 



Professor Ernst Hartett of the Museum of Franc- 

 furt-on-Main (Germany), the well known scientific 

 Traveller in Sumatra, India, and Africa, has also been 



