96 N. Wharton-Tigar—Notes from the London Zoo


NOTES FROM THE LONDON ZOO


By N. Wharton-Tig ar


This month I propose taking readers round the larger Parrot

House to hear about the more interesting Cockatoos and Parrots to

be found there.


There has recently been presented to the Zoo, a Slender-billed

Cockatoo ( Licnetis tenuirostris), Australia, aged 85 years. “ Old Bill

alias “ George ” is at present in the news, having been a star turn

at a television talk given by Mr. Seth-Smith, also on the radio at the

children’s hour, at a talk given by the “ Zoo Man ”, and he was also

an exhibit at one of the scientific meetings held at the Zoo, where he

was so awed when confronted by the distinguished and solemn gathering,

that he at once said to his keeper, “ Is it all right ? ” His vocabulary

is wonderful, and he is a most amusing bird full of character. I under¬

stand that when introduced to Professor Huxley, he exclaimed, “You

red-headed old rat ! ” much to the amusement of the Secretary, who

though so learned is gifted with a very keen sense of humour !


The Zoo have three of these birds, one a youngster and very tame.

Near the Slender-bills is a pair of the pretty Boseate Cockatoos [Kakatoe

roseicapilla) , from Australia, so common in pre-ban days, then close

by the Great Black Cockatoo (Microglossus aterrimus), Aru Islands—

the home of the King Bird of Paradise ; what a contrast to this great

black fellow with his huge beak, pink skin on cheeks, and large

crest !


Next is housed the Banksian Cockatoo ( Calyptorhynchis banJcsi),

from East Australia, also large and black.


Farther along on the other side of the Slender-bills, we come to

some treasures, three tiny Cockatoos, it is difficult to say which is

the most desirable. All are rare, and nearly impossible to obtain

nowadays. Goffin’s Cockatoo [Kakatoe gojfni), from Tenimber Island ;

the Bed-vented Cockatoo [K. haematuropygia), Philippine Islands,

very similar, but with red showing under the tail, and last, but most

charming of all, the Dwarf Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (K. parvula),

from Java, a miniature replica of the Lesser Sulphur-crested found in

Celebes. The Zoo also have a very fine pair of these, and a pair of the^



