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N. Wliar ton-Tigar—London Zoo Notes



I am told that generally speaking it is the hens who are the more

delicate, and I should be very glad indeed to hear from any Member

who might have had the adverse experience of losing hens and retaining

cocks.


The oaly Finch-like birds which I have possessed during this season

have been Gouldian Finches and a pair of Bed-headed Parrot Finches.


The Gouldians have laid but I think were disturbed by the Parrot

Finches, and I noticed the Parrot Finches occasionally coming out

of the nest when the Gouldians were not there and vice versa, although

there were innumerable nesting sites available. Unfortunately I have

since lost the Parrot Finch hen.


Generally speaking, I think 1937 has been what I should term

a good breeding season amongst my birds in spite of the dry weather.


Now, subject to the Editor’s permission, may I ask where are the

other Members of the Society who struggle along with garden aviaries

and the popular aviary birds ?


The Magazine caters well for our interest, and I for one have no

complaint to find with it, but I certainly think that its general interest

would be enhanced to a great many of our Members if only we could

persuade some of our more or less beginners to talk to us and tell us

about their successes, not forgetting to mention their failures, for there

are many lessons which even our more experienced Members could

learn.



LONDON ZOO NOTES


By N. Wharton-Tigar


To continue the notes on the Pheasants at Begent’s Park, besides

the Kaleegi already mentioned, there is Bel’s Silver Pheasant ( Gennxus

beli or G. nycthemerus beli) from French Indo-China. Beebe does not

consider this a true species, but classes it as a hybrid. Mr. Delacour

describes it as a sub-species of G. nycthemerus. He originally brought

this Pheasant from French Indo-China, bred them at his famous Park

at Cleres, and presented some to the Zoo. The late Lord Eothschild

also presented specimens. There are quite a number of these birds:

it would appear to the ordinary observer to be merely a more heavily



