182 BOTANIC GARDENS MENAGERIE. 



ARDEIDJE. 



Ardea sumatrana. 



The large blue heron two of these birds have lived for a 

 very long time in the Gardens, one about 20 years. The 

 second about 15. This latter was caught young at Changi 

 and brought up by Malays. It used to go to fish along the 

 sea-coast every day and return to the house at night. This 

 heron makes a strange booming noise constantly, holding 

 its head erect and dilating its throat. The female has laid 

 eggs several times in the aviaries but the rats have usually 

 destroyed them. 



Bubulons coromandus. 



The Cattle egret lives well and long in captivity. One has 

 been kept since 1892, another was obtained later. I have 

 seen them kept as pets by the Akits a race of Sumatrans who 

 live on rafts in the Siak river, and catch fish. This bird 

 produces its beautiful egret feathers once a year in spring and 

 they can be easily removed when ready to shed without 

 injury to the bird. The two birds were at one time put into 

 the same cage but fought viciously, one receiving some damage 

 to its head. 



ClCONIMI. 

 Dissemurus episcopus. 



This handsome stork was represented by two young 

 birds sent from Pahang which lived and grew very well in 

 confinement till they attained their full coloring. They were 

 both killed by a curious accident. A swarm of bees took up 

 its abode in the bushes close to the aviary, and as they were 

 troublesome, the coolies attempted to destroy the comb. 

 The bees flew about the aviary in swarms but none of the 

 birds took any notice of them except the storks which snapped 

 at them, and some of the bees getting into their mouths 

 stung them in the throat and both died the following day. 



Nycterinia Jabiru. 



The Jabiru two of these fine birds were presented in 1899 

 and lived for some years when one died. The other is still living. 



Jour. Straits Branefr 



