K. Plath—Birds at the New Chicago Zoological Park 177


brilliant green and bine reflections and splendidly plumed. It has a

very long tail, over 24 inches, which has its velvety black surface

silvered with rich blue and a long decurved beak which when open

shows the pale yellow lining of the mouth and throat. Over each

shoulder is a fan-shaped arrangement of black feathers barred with blue

and green and the short smoky flank plumes are edged with lustrous

purple. It is a rara avis indeed, for only six were imported from New

Guinea and the other five are in England or France. The beautiful

Regent Bird from Australia is also in this group. Another of the large

wall cages has a fine collection of the Australian Finches. All but two

of the known species are represented. These include the Painted,

Crimson, Red-eared, Diamond, Common and Heck’s Longtail, Parson,

Red and Black-headed Gouldian, Bichenow’s, Blue-headed Parrot

Finch, Star, Plum-head, Chestnut-breasted, Pectoral, Yellow-rumped

and Masked Grassfinches. A White-eyed Crow is also part of the

Australian group.


In the centre of the room is a large flying-cage 12 by 21 feet. In

it we see Green Catbirds from Australia whose cry is unpleasantly like

the yowl of a tom-cat. Satin Bower Birds play all day with twigs but

never build any bowers, the male of this species is glossy blue black

and the female dull green and brown. Both have pale purplish eyes.

There are three Piping Crows, two of which are females, and one of these

is very accommodating in responding to any visitor’s whistle. The

male indulges occasionally in his liquid gurgling. One of the Javan

Mynahs has perfected an imitation of the whistling of these birds besides

being able to carry on a conversation with anyone who stops to talk

to it. The Tree-pies are noticeable for their activity and long graceful

tails. They are attractive in deep blue with black chests and are known

as the Formosa Blue Magpie. We also have the Red-billed Tree-pie

and the Wandering Tree-pie, unusual in his smoky-brown tones. A

large Purple Jay, two fine Black and Yellow Orioles ( Gymnomystax ),

Laughing Thrush, Starlings, native Grackles, Kookaburras, and a fine

pair of King Parrots complete the assemblage in this cage to which

other varieties will be added from time to time. The King Parrots are

really aliens to this cage as we have a building devoted to the Parrot¬

like birds—but there was no aviary large enough in their own building



