Denys Weston*—Chester Zoological Gardens



23



approaches the main building which is a magnificent mansion in the

Tudor style with parquet flooring in walnut and mahogany, over¬

looking spacious lawns with cedars and shrubberies.


Should the weather prove inclement music is provided daily,

and there are both cafes and tea rooms. There is plenty of interest

under cover. If the weather is propitious it is possible, after a surfeit

of animals, to indulge in deck chairs or outdoor games should we not

wish to hurry home.


The founder of these delightful Gardens was Mr. G. S. Mottershead,

F.Z.S., who now holds the post of Hon. Curator, supported by a strong

group of directors.


It naturally costs a great deal of money to institute and run a

concern of this magnitude, and the Society has in the past been rather

crippled for funds. Much progress has, however, been made, and the

future now looks very rosy. I understand from Mr. Lightfoot that

since my visit another dozen aviaries have been practically completed,

and this winter a large aquarium is to be erected in the spacious cellars

after the style of the one at the London Zoo.


In another six months’ time the feathered population will probably

be trebled as collectors at present in Australia and Central Africa are

expected back about next March.


One of the first aviculturists to take an interest in this Society

was the Marquess of Tavistock, who is well known to my readers.

He has generously donated a very fine pair of Barraband Parrakeets

for whom a fine aviary has been specially constructed.


Arrangements have also been made to commence shortly a series

of lectures (during the winter months) dealing with the various phases

of animal and bird life.


Space, and the policy of the Society, will only permit me to refer

to the feathered inmates, but before doing so I hope that I shall be

allowed a little latitude to relate the following interesting but rather

gruesome incident. A short time ago, in the large outside monkey

cage, a Rhesus monkey deliberately committed suicide in the presence

of several visitors. He obtained, probably from a visitor, a length of

rope with which he played for a while. He then climbed up one of

the large branches, tied one end to this, made a noose of the other.



