N. Wharton-Tigar—Notes from the London Zoo 151


trouble indeed. They are, I believe, extremely subject to fits ; and

if once a bird is so attacked there is little hope of complete recovery.


Lories are really lovely to look at, easily tamed, and most

affectionate and occasionally a good talker is found among them.


In the larger Parrot House, in the wire aviaries against the wall,

are to be found the Ornate Lorikeet (Trichoglossus ornatus ), from

Celebes. The Zoo has two good pairs of these, and the ones here

housed have laid eggs several times, and the Red-collared Lorikeet

(T. rubritorques ), from North-Western Australia. This species is very

similar to the well-known Swainson’s, of which more anon. It differs

only in having the nape of the neck orange red and its breast more

orange. The Black Lory (Chalcopittacus ater), from New Guinea, very

rare, velvety purple black, showing greenish yellow and purple red

on tail.


In these aviaries are also the Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (Eutelijpsitta

chlorolepidota), Australia, the Blue-faced Lorikeet (T. hsematodus),

Timor. The Red Lory (Eos molluccus), Borneo and South Moluccas,

entirely red, except for black wing tips and a blue spot in the middle

of the wings. A true pair of the Yellow-back Lory (Domicella flavo-

palliatus), absolutely tame, and also of the Red-fronted Lory ( C . scin-

tillata), ten years in the collection, tame, and in lovely condition.


Then we come to a pair of Swainson’s Lorikeets (T. moluccanus),

Eastern Australia. This variety has been bred in very fair numbers

in this country. I shall never forget my astonishment when, years

ago, I called on Mr. John Frostick, the veteran expert bird-keeper.

In his bird-room, by no means an ideal one, he had breeding in a

wooden box in an ordinary Parrot cage, a pair of these Lorikeets, and

he pointed with very justifiable pride to what seemed to me at least

a dozen very fine sleek youngsters that the pair had previously bred.


Now we leave the larger Parrot House and step down to the smaller

one, well known as the home of the large Macaws. Here we find Forsten’s

Lorikeet ( T . forsteni), Sunbawa, and the lovely little Varied Lorikeet

(Ptilosclera versicolor), North and Western Australia, small and dainty,

prevailing colour green, the crown red, with breast yellow and mauve,

a very desirable little creature, bred in captivity for the first time

last year by Messrs. Boosey and Brooksbank. In this house there are



