94 
Biid Notes from the Zoo. 
Buphaga africana. OXPKCKER. 
Range. Nearly the whole of Africa. (B.I\1. Cat.) 
Verj- coiiiiiioti in the Gambia, two or three to be seen with every herd 
of cattle. The\- are brown birds, intermediate in appearance between the 
Starlings and the larger Weavers, witli yellow red-tipped beaks. They live 
on the ticks and other insects which infest cattle. Mandingo name, Charra. 
f To be conlimied.) 
Blr^ motes from the Zoo. 
By Wesley T. Page, F.Z.S. 
In these notes precedence ninst be given to the much 
anticipated aviarie.s for the Bird.s of Paradise, and to mention in 
passing that witli other changes in the management, Mr. D. Seth- 
Smith has been appointed Curator of Birds and Inspector of 
Works. This is a change which all aviculturists will welcome, 
and the fine series of foreign birds should now receive that ciire 
and practical supervision which they well deserve. One can only 
hope that better supervision will be kept over the name tablets of 
birds on the various cages and aviaries, also that they will be 
correctly named, and that we may be spared such absurd popular 
titles as, for instance, '' Red-fronted Finch" to Spor opi'pes frontalis; 
it is not even descriptive and the bird already possessed a des- 
criptive title, viz.. Bearded Scaly-fronted Finch. 
While many aviculturists will be disappointed that the 
Bird of Paradise flights are not larger — but it must be noted that 
existing conditions and the necessity of making a displa}^ from 
the spectacular standpoint were the main factors in deciding the 
dimensions, etc. of the respective flights — nevertheless much has 
been gained, and we shall doubtless hear of many species of 
of Grassfinches, etc., if not the Birds of Paradise, breeding therein 
during the present season. Some of them are already building 
and others prospecting. 
It will suffice to say that however much aviculturists may 
privately criticise the new aviaries and regret their limitations, it 
will be seen from the photographic reproductions illustrating 
these notes, that they have a handsome appearance, are well 
arranged, have been carefully thought out, and the comfort of the 
birds studied to the utmost that the existing conditions would 
allow. The illustrations make further description superfluous. 
