172 Capt. S. Stokes—The Zoo at Mossley Hill , Liverpool



I have had one or two who did this and who had an aversion for the

society of hens. The Zebra Finch cock is a beautiful bird and is

ridiculously cheap. It seems a pity that his vagaries whilst breeding,

coupled with the hens 5 tendency to egg-binding, should militate against

their undoubted charm.



THE ZOO AT MOSSLEY HILL, LIVERPOOL


By Captain S. Stokes, M.C.


An estate of 15 acres, comprising house, well-matured and timbered

garden and paddocks, has been opened by its owner, Mr. H. E. Rogers,

as a Zoo. It is pleasantly situated on high ground overlooking the

River Mersey, and is about 3 miles from the centre of Liverpool, and

easily accessible from that city.


I spent a few happy hours there, walking about the lawns and

alleys and enjoying the birds and animals, and was astonished to hear

that over 60,000 visitors have done the same since the Zoo was opened

in the spring. People do not go there to deposit their wastepaper

and their orange-peel, but for rest and refreshment and education.

I was told there are already sixty season-ticket members.


In view of the British public’s undoubted enjoyment of birds and

beasts well kept and well shown, it seems a little odd that new Zoos

which spring up should create such dislike and opposition in the breasts

of public officials in corporations and ministries.


Mr. Rogers demonstrates that it is possible to keep animals and

birds in quarters of moderate dimensions, as distinct from “ natural

surroundings ”, with perfect success. All his stock looked in good

condition as to feet and feather or fur, and this must ultimately be

the criterion of a creature’s well-being and happiness in captivity.

Any shelter-sheds with floors of cement have sleepers of timber over

the concrete, and the larger birds’ outdoor quarters are mostly floored

with ashes or sand.


An old orangery has been turned into a bird house, where I saw

a Spix Macaw and a Hyacinthine, various Conures, Amazon Parrots,

and Cockatoos. The compartment, with outdoor playroom attached,



