6 
and the large Aviary formerly used as a Parrot house has been 
reconstructed and converted into a beautiful natural Aviary for 
small song birds and finches. The back and sides of this building 
represent a tropical forest scene, in the centre of the Aviary is a 
fountain, and the whole is planted with ferns and small ornamental 
shrubs, the effect being exceedingly pretty, it is very much admired 
as the finest exhibit of its kind in the gardens ; the numerous small 
birds fly about almost in a state of freedom, the length of the 
building being over sixty feet, the breadth twenty five and the 
height eighteen feet. All the buildings in the gardens have been 
artistically painted by Messrs Paterson Brothers the art decorators, 
and the effect produced by a proper blending of colors is very 
pleasing. 
A number of valuable specimens have been added to the 
Zoological Collection from Europe, India and Africa, but the 
most prized and costly, a fine young Rhinoceros purchased 
for the Society in Calcutta has died. The animal was shipped 
from India in the S. S. Bancoora, which vessel was unfortunately 
stranded almost on the completion of her voyage near the 
Barwon Heads, and although the animal was ultimately landed, 
injuries had apparently been sustained which caused its death a 
short time after arrival at the gardens ; this is very much to be 
regretted as these animals are most difficult to obtain; instruct¬ 
ions have however been forwarded to the Society’s Calcutta agent 
to endeavour to procure another specimen. Other Indian animals 
and birds are shortly expected to arrive. 
As stated in last years Report a large Zoological Collection 
such as the Society now possesses requires constant replenishing, the 
death rate being invariably heavy among animals and birds kept in 
a state of captivity. 
Although slightly increased during the past year, it is to be 
regretted that the number of members is still small. The public 
