IOO 
ESTHETICS AT THE ZOO 
where it might be least expected, and is developed to 
a point at which it becomes an artistic passion identical 
in motive and the means taken to gratify it, with the 
same taste and its expression by civilized man. It is 
not without reason that the Papuan, who lives naked 
under a tree, calls the gardener-bird “ the master,” 
which can build not only a nest, but a lovely pleasure- 
house besides, and adorns this with a hundred beau- 
tiful objects to satisfy aesthetic wants which the 
savage is not yet developed enough to feel or 
understand. 
The gardener-bird has not yet become established 
at the Zoo, but the bower-birds build their gallery 
every spring, and decorate it with such “ articles of 
vertu” as visitors are kind enough to place at their 
disposal. The bower-birds live in the compartments 
of the western Aviary nearest to and on the left of 
the main entrance. Apart from the claims to 
sympathy which their aesthetic tastes suggest, the 
birds themselves are singularly handsome, courageous, 
and active, and thoroughly enjoy the excitement and 
change of scene which is so distasteful to many 
creatures confined in a public menagerie. They are 
strongly-built, compact-looking birds, almost as large 
as a rook, but in general shape something between a 
thrush and the Indian mynah. The male in his adult 
plumage is a splendid purple, while the hen-bird is 
green and olive, almost as brilliant as the colours ot 
the ground parakeets. They hop from perch to perch 
with wonderful agility, and whether on the ground or 
