I came across this accidentally while looking for something else and thought it would be interesting for others. It is from The Avicultural Magazine, May 1921. The format will probably look a bit weird....
A VISIT TO THE BIRDS AT THE
WELLINGTON ZOO
By C. TUrnbv Smith.
I had an opportunity of visiting the Zoo at Wellington, New
Zealand, last February, and considering the institution has only been
in existence about twelve years, the collection of birds is most
satisfactory and interesting. The Zoo comprises some 17 acres of
undulating ground on the edge of the hills in the outskirts of the
city, and is fairly well screened from wind — a great point at
Wellington. The large pond for waterfowl would carry any number
of birds, and the Paradise Ducks, Japanese Teal, Maned Geese, etc.,
which I noticed looked very nourishing. More waterfowl, however,
are greatly wanted. By far the most interesting thing I saw was the
place where a pair of Mantell's Kiwis nested three years ago. These
birds were confined in a large wire enclosure on the hillside, the place
being fairly dense with trees and low bushes and having a little
watercourse running down the centre. The birds, unfortunately,
elected to make the nest in the bank of the stream at the lower end
of the enclosure. They burrowed a hole like a rabbit's hole,
extending some 18 inches into the bank at right angles to the stream,
and then the hole had an elbow-turn, and was carried on for another
2 feet. At the end the birds excavated a circular hole of considerable
size, which they carefully lined with leaves from lime-trees in the
enclosure. It seems that the female bird did most of the nest-making.
The hopes of Mr. Langridge, the Zoo Superintendent, were great for a
time, but unfortunately before any eggs were laid a heavy rain-storm
raised the water-level of the stream to such a height that it was
found necessary to dig into the nest from above to avoid the risk
of one or both the old birds being drowned. Both birds were in the
nest when it was dug out. Since then no further attempt at nesting
have been recorded, but as there are still Kiwis at the Zoo the future
is not without hope. Considering Kiwis are practically doomed to
extinction, further records as to their nesting operations are most
desirable.
Amongst other birds that have recently nested at the Zoo, with
more or less success, are Paradise Duck, American Wood Duck,
Weka Rails, Red-billed Gulls, Black-backed or Dominican Gulls,
Straw-necked Ibises, Magpie Larks, Yellow-tufted Honey-eaters,
and, of course, various small families.
I saw a very fine pair of Ostriches and a Cassowary which would
he a credit to any collection. I also noticed two White-fronted
Herons in splendid health, after two years in captivity. These birds
are incessantly picking up flies and other insects, and Mr. Langridge
attributes their good health greatly to this. In various aviaries he
hangs up meat to induce flies. A fine King Penguin and three
Sclater's Crested Penguins showed the usual inquisitiveness and
anxiety to be fed. A curious pied specimen of the Pectoral Rail
looked quite happy. If this could be got to breed there might
possibly be interesting results. Amongst Owls were the Australian
Barn Owl, a very fine specimen, the " Delicate Owl ", the " Spotted
Eagle Owl ", and, of course, the common New Zealand " Morepork ",
which greatly resembles our Athene noctua.
The Parrots included Keas, Kakas, Cockatoos, Pennants, Rosellas,
Macaws, various small Parrakeets, and a splendid specimen of a
Tabuan Parrot from the Fiji Isles. I was disappointed not to see
either Kakapos or New Zealand Parrakeets. Both, however, are most
difficult to obtain, though further efforts to get them are being made.
Pheasants did not show any specially rare varieties, but included
a good cock Elliot's Pheasant, sent in mistake for a Jungle Fowl.
I noticed amongst the Lesser Waders a fine specimen of the Golden
Plover, which was just losing his full breeding plumage. This bird
flew into the porthole of a ship 50 miles off the coast. At present
the Zoo does not hold any specimens of those interesting New
Zealand birds, the Stilts (either pied or black), but it is hoped to get
these in future as they are fairly common in many places. The
prospects of getting " Tuis " or Parson Birds are much more doubtful,
and the possibility of getting " Huias " almost nil.
A small flock of Apostle Birds (Struthidea cinerea) from Australia
seemed quite happy in an enclosure with other birds. They have
been in the Zoo some six years, and though popularly supposed to
be most pugnacious, yet in captivity have shown quite a peaceable
disposition. Their common name of Apostle Bird is gained from their
being usually found in flocks of twelve. Tt is interesting to note that
wild Fantails (that quaint lively little bird with at least nineteen
n;i me*). have repeatedly nested and reared young in the Zoo grounds.
The Zoo authorities are most anxious to enlarge their collection
of birds, and the New Zealand climate is such as to render easy the
keeping of many varieties, which in other places are only half-hardy.
There are, however, obvious difficulties in the way of speedy progress,
such as geographical situation, shortage of labour and lack of trans-
port facilities incidental to a newly developing community.
Members of the Avicultural Society and other enthusiasts having
surplus stock for disposal might do worse than arrange to send them
to the Wellington Zoo. The Superintendent would readily answer
all inquiries as to method of transit and otherwise ; also arrange
special terms with the shipping companies. Many New Zealanders
would like to see birds sent from the British Isles, to which they,
almost all of them, refer as " Home ".
A VISIT TO THE BIRDS AT THE
WELLINGTON ZOO
By C. TUrnbv Smith.
I had an opportunity of visiting the Zoo at Wellington, New
Zealand, last February, and considering the institution has only been
in existence about twelve years, the collection of birds is most
satisfactory and interesting. The Zoo comprises some 17 acres of
undulating ground on the edge of the hills in the outskirts of the
city, and is fairly well screened from wind — a great point at
Wellington. The large pond for waterfowl would carry any number
of birds, and the Paradise Ducks, Japanese Teal, Maned Geese, etc.,
which I noticed looked very nourishing. More waterfowl, however,
are greatly wanted. By far the most interesting thing I saw was the
place where a pair of Mantell's Kiwis nested three years ago. These
birds were confined in a large wire enclosure on the hillside, the place
being fairly dense with trees and low bushes and having a little
watercourse running down the centre. The birds, unfortunately,
elected to make the nest in the bank of the stream at the lower end
of the enclosure. They burrowed a hole like a rabbit's hole,
extending some 18 inches into the bank at right angles to the stream,
and then the hole had an elbow-turn, and was carried on for another
2 feet. At the end the birds excavated a circular hole of considerable
size, which they carefully lined with leaves from lime-trees in the
enclosure. It seems that the female bird did most of the nest-making.
The hopes of Mr. Langridge, the Zoo Superintendent, were great for a
time, but unfortunately before any eggs were laid a heavy rain-storm
raised the water-level of the stream to such a height that it was
found necessary to dig into the nest from above to avoid the risk
of one or both the old birds being drowned. Both birds were in the
nest when it was dug out. Since then no further attempt at nesting
have been recorded, but as there are still Kiwis at the Zoo the future
is not without hope. Considering Kiwis are practically doomed to
extinction, further records as to their nesting operations are most
desirable.
Amongst other birds that have recently nested at the Zoo, with
more or less success, are Paradise Duck, American Wood Duck,
Weka Rails, Red-billed Gulls, Black-backed or Dominican Gulls,
Straw-necked Ibises, Magpie Larks, Yellow-tufted Honey-eaters,
and, of course, various small families.
I saw a very fine pair of Ostriches and a Cassowary which would
he a credit to any collection. I also noticed two White-fronted
Herons in splendid health, after two years in captivity. These birds
are incessantly picking up flies and other insects, and Mr. Langridge
attributes their good health greatly to this. In various aviaries he
hangs up meat to induce flies. A fine King Penguin and three
Sclater's Crested Penguins showed the usual inquisitiveness and
anxiety to be fed. A curious pied specimen of the Pectoral Rail
looked quite happy. If this could be got to breed there might
possibly be interesting results. Amongst Owls were the Australian
Barn Owl, a very fine specimen, the " Delicate Owl ", the " Spotted
Eagle Owl ", and, of course, the common New Zealand " Morepork ",
which greatly resembles our Athene noctua.
The Parrots included Keas, Kakas, Cockatoos, Pennants, Rosellas,
Macaws, various small Parrakeets, and a splendid specimen of a
Tabuan Parrot from the Fiji Isles. I was disappointed not to see
either Kakapos or New Zealand Parrakeets. Both, however, are most
difficult to obtain, though further efforts to get them are being made.
Pheasants did not show any specially rare varieties, but included
a good cock Elliot's Pheasant, sent in mistake for a Jungle Fowl.
I noticed amongst the Lesser Waders a fine specimen of the Golden
Plover, which was just losing his full breeding plumage. This bird
flew into the porthole of a ship 50 miles off the coast. At present
the Zoo does not hold any specimens of those interesting New
Zealand birds, the Stilts (either pied or black), but it is hoped to get
these in future as they are fairly common in many places. The
prospects of getting " Tuis " or Parson Birds are much more doubtful,
and the possibility of getting " Huias " almost nil.
A small flock of Apostle Birds (Struthidea cinerea) from Australia
seemed quite happy in an enclosure with other birds. They have
been in the Zoo some six years, and though popularly supposed to
be most pugnacious, yet in captivity have shown quite a peaceable
disposition. Their common name of Apostle Bird is gained from their
being usually found in flocks of twelve. Tt is interesting to note that
wild Fantails (that quaint lively little bird with at least nineteen
n;i me*). have repeatedly nested and reared young in the Zoo grounds.
The Zoo authorities are most anxious to enlarge their collection
of birds, and the New Zealand climate is such as to render easy the
keeping of many varieties, which in other places are only half-hardy.
There are, however, obvious difficulties in the way of speedy progress,
such as geographical situation, shortage of labour and lack of trans-
port facilities incidental to a newly developing community.
Members of the Avicultural Society and other enthusiasts having
surplus stock for disposal might do worse than arrange to send them
to the Wellington Zoo. The Superintendent would readily answer
all inquiries as to method of transit and otherwise ; also arrange
special terms with the shipping companies. Many New Zealanders
would like to see birds sent from the British Isles, to which they,
almost all of them, refer as " Home ".
