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N. Wharton-Tigar—Notes from the London Zoo



Now we move to the other side of the small Bird House, and in

large square cages we find a perfect specimen of the Lesser Superb

Bird of Paradise, Lophorhina superba minor, which inhabits the Owen

Stanley and Charles Louis Mountains in South New Guinea. This

gem can usually be seen displaying about five o’clock in the afternoon.


Nearby is the young and not yet full plumed Prince Rudolph’s

Bird of Paradise, Paradisornis rudolfi, also known as the Blue Bird

of Paradise, a friendly bird this, ever ready to welcome you, and give

you, for as long as you care to stay and admire, his unique display

upside down. An absolutely perfect specimen of this species occupies

a large aviary cage on this same side. Close by is an immature specimen

of Wallace’s Bird of Paradise, Semioptera wallacei, from Molluccas,.

gowned in beige and vivid green. Farther on is the Magnificent Bird

of Paradise, Diphyllodes magnified magnified, North-West New Guinea—

one of the very small varieties, and which has a wonderful display.


At the far end in one of the large aviaries housing a mixed collection

is to be found a very fine example of the Red Bird of Paradise, Uranoris

rubra, from the islands of Waigiou, Batanta, and Gemien, belonging to

quite another family, and yet in many respects like P. raggiana. It

has two curious rises on the head, the wires are extraordinary, and the

plumes fall differently from the Paradisea group. This species has come

nearer than any other to breeding in captivity, the world famous

Mr. Whitley, of Primley Zoo, having nearly bred them on two occasions.


In one of the middle aviaries there is a New Guinea Rifle Bird,

Ptilorhis magnifica, and in the Tropical House we find a fine six-plumed

Bird of Paradise, Parotia lawesi, South-East New Guinea—one of the

most delightful birds to possess, usually tame and with a most amusing

display.


Finally we come to a very fine pair of Mayer’s Sickle-billed Bird of

Paradise from South-East New Guinea. The male of this species has

tail feathers several feet in length : both have a long, curved bill shaped

like a sickle. When I saw these birds on Boxing Day they were sitting

close together and were certainly on very good terms. Let us hope that

a sensational event may occur, and the Zoo have the honour to be the

first to breed Birds of Paradise in captivity.



