J. Delacoui—On a Recent Visit to the Berlin Zoo



21



remained about the garden, but a good many have gone away into

the woods ; I only hope they will not be shot.


A curious thing is that a common Rhode Island Red Hen, who

brought up some of the hybrid Pheasants, has formed a great attach¬

ment to the Reeves cock. The common Pheasant hens having moulted

and grown their wings have departed, so now the Reeves and Rhode

Island Red hen live alone with the wallabies and are most friendly.

The Reeves follows the hen wherever she goes. I only hope next year

I may be able to get that hybrid, and if I do a friend says “ it will be

a ‘ museum piece 5



ON A RECENT VISIT TO THE BERLIN ZOO


By J. Delacour


I spent three days in Berlin in November and was altogether

delighted with the magnificent Zoo of the German capital.


If the Small Birds and Parrot Houses are certainly larger and better

stocked in London and in some American Gardens, I believe that all

the other departments are superior in Berlin to those of any Zoo in

the world. The Mammal collection, both in number of specimens

and species, is without rivals in the world ; almost every species

represented is housed in palatial dwellings and bred regularly in spite

of the cold climate of northern Germany. But this is not the place to

talk about mammals. In the bird line the Waders and Waterfowl are

especially well represented and beautifully shown in large, fine, and

practical aviaries and ponds of different kinds. There are many more

individuals and species represented than I have ever seen anywhere.

The Pheasantry is also very good but not equal to that in London.

I can only mention here a very few of the most interesting birds.


In a large aviary, all planted with pine trees and heather, often

changed, there are some Capercaillies, Hazel Grouse, Black Game,

and Siberian Jays, all tame and kept in perfect condition during the

last three years. The very complete collection of Ostrich-like birds

contains such rarities as Beccari’s Cassowary, Spatz’s Ostriches,



