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P. Barclay-Smith—-King Ferdinand " 1 s Collection



men who were both “ unbelievers ” and good bird-catchers, though

the bird appears to be still as common as it was forty years ago.

However, he succeeded in collecting, amongst others, the fine bird

which may now be seen in the Tropical House in the Zoo.



KING FERDINAND’S COLLECTION


By Phyllis Barclay-Smith


The magnificent collection of birds at Coburg, brought together

by the care and thought of His Majesty the ex-King Ferdinand of

Bulgaria, is one that would provide weeks of enjoyment and study,

but even a brief visit of a few days makes a memorable impression.

The birds have in most cases been procured by the King personally

on his many travels : wherever His Majesty goes one of the thoughts

uppermost in his mind is the study of birds. Though his ‘collection

numbers over 800 specimens, he can remember where each one was

obtained or purchased, and he knows the names of all, not only in

Latin, but in almost every European language. His knowledge of their

distribution and habits makes a tour of the aviaries in his company

little short of an extensive education.


The main collection is contained in a large house consisting of eighteen

aviaries. The whole building is light and airy and each aviary has an

indoor and outdoor compartment, the outdoor section being provided

with trees and shrubs. Inside there is a central passage, the aviaries,

constructed of fine meshed wire and light wood, being ranged on each

side and forming a semi-circle at the end. At the other end a door

leads to a large room where the food is prepared, and the collection

is in charge of two very knowledgeable keepers.


Every aviary is numbered and on the outside is a typed list giving

the species of birds contained therein and a note of their habitat.

It is perhaps simplest to give a brief resume of the birds in each aviary.

In the first there were mostly European birds such as Waxwings,

Hawfinches, and a Water-rail, but, in addition, in a large cage was an

Argentine Motmot.



