190



Correspondence



THE BLACK MAMBA


I must congratulate Mr. Moore for producing two “ Black Mambas

These are very nearly mouse grey. It should have been obvious to any one

reading my notes in the January issue that I did not doubt the existence of

a dark-coloured Mamba and that I was merely having a “ dig ” at the many

people who circulate untrue or grossly exaggerated stories concerning Mambas.

The habits described by Mr. Moore of the “ Black ” Mamba when attacked

by dogs applies equally to large green Mambas. The Mambas in the Zoo

became very subdued shortly after being liberated, in the same way that

green ones do. As far as I know the venom of the dark variety has never

been proved to be more potent than that of the green.


Concerning animal myths and legends in general, Mr. Moore in a previous

letter suggests that there is usually something in them, and cites the case

of the Okapi. The fact that this animal was discovered in 1900 ? in a practic¬

ally unexplored region is no justification for supposing that there are monsters

and other queer animals in existence to-day in comparatively settled areas.


A naturalist at heart likes to record things as he sees them, and not be

guided by hearsay. To the general public, animal “ stories ” are greatly

appreciated, and they provide the popular Press with excellent copy, and

in some cases they are even good for trade as many people living near Loch

Ness are aware, but that is no reason why I should believe in them.


C. S. Webb.


[Interesting as these snakes undoubtedly are, they are hardly a suitable

subject for the pages of this journal and, now that Mr. Webb has replied

to the criticism on a statement of his in a former number of our Magazine,

the discussion must close. —Ed.]



SUCCESSFUL BREEDING OF THE HOODED PITTA


M. Delacour reports that a pair of Hooded Pittas (Pitta cucullata) have

nested in his Tropical House and successfully reared one young bird. The

parents are now sitting again—on eight eggs. M. Delacour will, we hope,

write a full account of this most interesting event in due course.



NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS


A pair of Australian Black-breasted Plover (Zonifer tricolor ) have hatched

two chicks in the Western Aviary, which are doing well. These birds first

nested early in the year, selecting a bare piece of ground in the outside run,

scraping but a slight hollow into which was drawn a few pieces of grass.

The first clutch of four pyriform olive-grey brown-spotted eggs was damaged

by frost, but a second clutch was more successful. The chicks, which could

run almost as soon as hatched, are beautiful little things, as all young plovers

are, with fluffy black and brown spotted down, and a very conspicuous buff

collar on the nape.


The experiment of liberating a number of Indian Cattle Egrets (Bubulcus

coromandus) from the Zoological Gardens has provided the interesting sight

of the flight of these small white herons. They are fond of flying in parties



