96 
Bird Notes from ihc Zoo. 
make when in perfect plumage. In this flight are also to be seen 
the All Green Tanager {^Chloropho7iia viridis), Yellow-winged 
Sugar Bird (C cyaiiea). Spotted Emerald 'Ya.\\a.^gQ\: {Cailiste guttata), 
Fire-red Finch * {^Spermophila vihucta). Guttural Finch * (kS. 
£7itturalis), Blue Wren {Malurus cyaiieiis)^ and Varied Hemipode 
{Ticrnix varia) ; the latter had quite an artistic nest at the foot of 
a Box tree, containing three eggs, when these notes were taken 
(May 29th). The feature of this flight (at present) is the dainty 
little Australian Blue Wren. Its fearless demeanour, vivacity, 
and the engaging flirt of its tail as it flitted in and out of the 
foliage was quite entrancing. This species has been bred in 
captivity: Mr. R. Phillipps several years ago achieved that dis- 
tinction. 
II. Containing Blue {Tanaora episcopus). Scarlet {^R. 
brasilius), and Black Tanagers (^Tachyphonus melalaiais) and 
Count Raggi's Bird of Paradise (^ParadisearaggiaJia) ; this species 
so far makes the best display, one of the males being in perfect 
plumage and making a grand picture as he sat on the branches 
sunning himself. As the birds gain more confidence and get 
accustomed to their surroundings, they will use some of the lower 
perches and then ho. seen to better ailvantage. 
III. Contains eight Lawes' Birds of Paradise {P. lazvesi), 
none of which were in perfect plumage, though one of the males 
was very rapidly approaching that stage. From their demeanour 
during the hour in which I had them under observation, I fear 
that as soon as the males are in full nuptial plumage their num- 
bers will have to be reduced, as already they were living in any- 
thing but amit}'. 
IV. Here weie gathered together quite an interesting 
.series, viz.: Hunstein's Bird of Paradi.se (Z^. himsteini); Blue- 
wing (C cyanoptera) and Superb Tanagers (^C.fastiiosa) ; Rufous- 
tailed Grassfinch (^Bathilda ruficaiida) ; Sydney Waxbill {^/Egintha 
temporalis) ; Parrot Finch {Erythncra psittacca) ; Chestnut-breasted 
Finch {^Munia caslancithorax) and Nutmeg Finch (/]/. pimctuata). 
Many of these were prospecting or carrying bents, etc. about, 
evidently enjoying their newly found libert}', and many of them 
will undoubtedly breed. These and the birds next door (flight 
* vide coloured plate, opposite page 61, Vol, VI. BiiJ Noles. 
