114 THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 
geebungs (Persoonia) and native cherry (Hzxocarpus), being 
tastefully interspersed with the darker greens, like Phyllanthus, 
Flindersia, ete. Phyllanthus Ferdinandi is certainly a tree 
which should command more attention in our gardens. 
The encouragement of native trees has naturally given 
great encouragement to native birds; and these do excellent 
work in keeping down pests (scale insects, ete.). In fact, ac- 
cording to Mr. Le Souef, the birds have now reached a stage 
when they render it possible to do away with the services of 
one man for spraying, etc., thus saving the institution an ex- 
pense of about £200 a year. A number of nests of “twelve 
apostles” (Struthidea cinerea) were observed in one tree, built 
by the progeny of eight specimens of this bird originally re- 
leased in the park. 
As is well known, a wonderful success has been made, in 
designing the present Zoo, of the scheme for exhibiting the 
animals as far as possible in what appear to be natural sur- 
roundings—without bars or cages. And in this respect the ef- 
fect is particularly good immediately one enters the park at 
the lower gate. To look up from the path on the right at the 
bears apparently at liberty amid picturesque surroundings of 
rock and tree is especially pleasing. The same applies to the 
peep one gets of the old male elephant from near the parrot 
house; in the distance through the trees he appears quite at 
liberty, though he is actually not yet “civilised” enough to be 
allowed out of his enclosure. The tree kangaroo is a very in- 
teresting recent addition to the gardens; the particular specimen 
comes from Dutch New Guinea, and is a very rare animal (not 
yet named), looking like a half-way stage between a wallaby and 
an opossum, the large hind legs of the former being much re- 
duced for climbing purposes. 
Regarding birds, Mr. Le Souef disclosed the interesting fact 
that attention has latterly been given to Australian birds by 
professional breeders, and much success has recently been at- 
tained in France with the pretty little warbling grass parrot or 
budgerigar (Melopsittacus unaulatus). By artificial selection 
a number of variations from the original vivid green have al- 
ready been obtained—such as blue, blue and white, olive, and 
yellow. In the neighbouring cage was the curious little African 
wydah bird, with its very long and heavy looking tail feathers. 
One would imagine such an appendage to be a particular handi- 
cap to the bird in a strong wind or in time of danger when 
seeking safety in quick flight. 
