A. F. Moody—Notes on the Birds at Lilford , 1930 and 1931 4 7


Another veteran showing age, and who now has his good and bad

days, is an Imperial Eagle ( Aquila mogilnih) received in 1895. Others

to join the great majority include a Short-tailed Glossy Starling,

15 years, a Great Crested Grebe, which thrived for a year with us,

and, of course, the usual crop of infants. Additions during the period

referred to include three pairs of New Zealand Grey Duck ( Anas

superciliosa) received direct from that country ; also four of their

Pukeko or Swamp Hens (Porphyrio melanonota). These, thanks to

the kindness of the people concerned and the very excellent manner

in which they were packed, reached this country in excellent condition,

as did later a beautiful pair of Yariegated Shelduck or Paradise Ducks

(Tadorna variegata) very kindly brought over and presented by the

late Mr. Reginald Loder.


Another interesting acquisition is a brood of six Red-breasted

Mergansers (M erg us senator) reared from wild-taken eggs.


This species, so far as I am aware, has rarely been reared in captivity.

Our examples, three pairs, one of which some time ago found a home

in the Zoo, were hatched on 10th July, 1930. From the first they

proved ready feeders, and without any unusual difficulty were reared

under a hen. Incubation lasted 29 days. The young began

to feather at about 16 days ; indications of a crest appearing at

about 5 weeks. The sexes could be distinguished as soon as feathered

or earlier by the females’ smaller size. On handling two males at 20

weeks old, the small ornamental shoulder feathers were just visible.


Further notes are that by December all the birds had gained much

white on the throat, etc., while by January, 1931, the males retained

had acquired a considerable amount of colour, including some dark

on the sides of the head. Finally, at the time of writing (Christmas,

1931) the surviving male (one unfortunately during the past autumn

was choked by swallowing a wasp) is coming into full colour.


Other breeding successes of 1930 include most of the more usually

bred duck, Upland Geese, Scaup, Mellers Duck ( Anas melleri), one

Japanese White-necked Crane, and one Red-billed Tree Duck

(Dendrocygna autumnalis).


During 1931, most species of Duck were reared, our best lots being

nine Mellers Duck (Anas melleri ), two Comb Ducks or Indian Black



