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N. Wharton-Tigar—London Zoo Notes



LONDON ZOO NOTES


By N. Wharton-Tigar


In conversation with members of the Council, it was suggested that

I should tell readers this month of the Starlings and Mynahs in the

collection.


The Zoo Gardens are at the present time most attractive, the fresh

green of the trees, many beautiful shrubs gay with flowers, and the

spring bedding of early tulips and deliciously scented masses of wall¬

flowers make a delightful picture. Reluctantly I leave this scene and

go on to the small Bird House, and as I pass I notice the many occupants

of the aviaries with outside runs also realize that spring is here, and

are full of the joy of life. Several are carrying nesting material,

especially the Hawfinches. After a look round I went in search of

Keepers Tanner and Raggett, who were most kind and helpful in

telling me the different species X should find, and afterwards the former

spent a long time helping me with the names, etc.


There are at present some very fine specimens of Starlings in the

Gardens. They are fine aviary birds, and are at their best if given

plenty of room to fly about, and look beautiful with shimmering

plumage changing colour every minute as a different light falls upon

them.


Of the long-tailed varieties there are at present two species, both

from Abyssinia ; the most gorgeous of all, the Royal Starling ( Cosmo -

parus regius) gowned right royally, and a handsome specimen in finest

condition of the Crowned Starling ( Galiopsa salvadori).


Glossy Starlings of the genus Spreo are well represented. The

Superb Glossy Starling ( Spreo superbus ), East Africa, is very fine, and

the Bird House has a very fine specimen, among others, bred in the

menagerie 26th June, 1929. Near it is Shelley’s Starling [Spreo

shelleyi) from Somaliland, not often seen ; the Beautiful Spreo [Spreo

pulcher) did not strike me as being as lovely as the others, the commoner

Green Glossy Starling [Lamprocolius chalybeus) N.E. Africa, for instance,

and the Purple-headed Glossy [L. purpureus) West Africa, are both

exquisite, and to be seen here in grand condition. A great contrast to

the above is the Bald-headed Starling [Sarcops calvus) from the



