ZOO NOTES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2797, 15 June 1916, Page 6

ZOO NOTES

A LETTER FROM MACEDONIA MR. CREWES GIVES AN EXHIBITION [By JohnV Castle, Secretary of the AVellington Zoological Society. 7 ] The young men of AVellington forget many things; but they do not forget the Zoo notes that appear in The Dominion. Aa an illustration of this fact, I quote from a note recently written on the margin. of a piece of a, newspaper "somewhere in Macedonia." /Writing to tho ex-president of the above society, Sapper S. Hall wrote: "Being an interested Teader of your Zoo notes before leaving AVellington, 1 1 thought possibly this paper on Mesopotamian birds might be of interest to you, in view of the writer's note as to the neglect of zoology in this part of the world." The paper referred to was published in tho '*Busra Times" of April 19,'1916. Tho writer of the paper said: "A short account of the birds seen between the mouth of the Shatt-al-Arab and Sheikh Saad may ba of interest, firstly, because this is a part of the world of which tho zoology has been neglected, and, secondly, because it is a country where a systematic inquiry into, the bird migration and distribution ' would be of much scientific value. The three points that strike a naturalist in Mesopotamia are the intermingling of what we may call tho Indian and English species, the scarcity of the numbers, oxcepting in reed-bed areas, and the absence of seed-eating birds, of which the common or garden, sparrow is tho only representative—and lie is probably an importation." He then gives some interesting notes on several species of birds seen between the points mentioned. Of the species seen by him but comparatively few are represented in our Zoo; but we notice the pochard, tlis starling, the 'mallard, the white-tail sea-eagle and the teal. The swan, the goose, the coot, and ducks other than the mallard are mentioned; but it is probable that they are of species distinct from any that we have. Highly gratifyiug it is to know that our AVellington boys, Whether they sojourn in the land of the -Pyramids or lodge amid the swamps of Mesopotamia, remember the AVellington Zoo, and dream of "7/oo Notes" in The Dominion.

Cereopsis. The cereopsis is a ' natural warrior, never happier than when ho is fighting. He would like to have the world all to himself, or, , at any rate, . he would like to rule the world. As to allow him to. do. this, however, just now, when other pugnacious geeso are fighting in hope of winning worldwide Empire, would,be extremely inconvenient,, the cereopsis geese that-were recently brought to the Zoo have been safely confined- in an enclosure that contains all that a sensible goose should desire, and is securely fenced with substantial wood and iron. Because of the large cere on its face, the peculiar bird was at one time appropriately dubbed cereopsis; but lately it has been classed with the 1 geese, and been named tho Capo Barren goose. , "The Camels Have Started." • Two fine young camels bought at Perth, in January; but arrangements for th? transfer of thorn, to New Zealand could not be effected until a few days ago. Lately, however, I was. told that the noble Arabians had left Perth, and that it was hoped that they would be landed at Sydney on June 5. Should that hope have been fulfilled, they ought ,to arrive at the Wellington Zoo about 'the middle of the month. , ; • Four Deer Arrive." It is gratifying to note that the people of all parts of' the Dominion are recognising tile value of our Zoo as a national assot. Visitors from Auckland, as well as visitors from Dunedin, take a great interest in the Wellington Zoo, and country settlers, as well as city residents,. in all parts of the Dominion, are feeling an increasing desire to make the Zoo worthy of New Zealand; and especially a centre bf interesting education to all oi;r children. -Lately, the Otago Acclimatisation Society presented four deer, which'l am pleased to say-arrived in the pinlc of condition. Wanted Known! Who owns the best peacocks in New Zealand ? For a year or two there was in the Zoo a handsome bird from the wilds of India. When that glorious peacock- displayed his gorgeous, yet neat and perfectly becoming splendours, - ho other bird in New Zealand could do 'anything" but stare in rapt amazement. But to moult was too much for him, and when lie was compelled to doff his-bril-liant plumes he died. Now we want the two best birds in New Zealand to succeed him.- Who will give one, or two, or offer at a price? . - A Wonderful Object-Lesson. That, the ex-president of the Wellington Zoological Society has won 'the affectionate regard of several of the animals ill the Zoo is well known to many of his friends, and that lie preaches that almost all the animals in the world long to love and worship man is equally known.- Tho following report of the results of an effort I recently -made to induce him try to prove his theory, shouljl, therefore, be 'interesting. Knowing that two of the teachers of the Mt. Cook School were. taking their classes up to the Zoo' on a given afternoon, asked Mr. Crewes whether he would give to the classes an exhibition of the mutual regard which lie 1 and the animals in the Zoo have for each other. He agreed, on the understanding, that the exhibitibn should be.regarded as an exceptional one, and not as an advertisement, for, said he: "I know that Mr. Langridgs does not like for mo to touch the-animals when there are people about; tho reason why being that when it is safe for mo to do what I do, King Dick, the lion, would at some times tear off tho arm of a-man if, not knowing the lion as I know/him, a stranger ventured to imitate me." 1 Of course I accepted the conditions proposed. Pursuant to this, Mr. Crewes, at a time appointed, met the young students from the school, and having clambered over the barricade that keeps the public at a safe distance from the lions' cage, ' called "Dick." Immediately King Dick turned his head, gave in inquisitive glance, and' noticing who had called him, slowly and majestioally walked from one end of the enclosure to the other, and lay up against the upright bars, so that his exhibitor might put his hand between them . and pat the docilo captive ton the back. When mutual recognition-of friendly relations had been thus established, Dick sat' up so that his patron might put his hand upon tho head of his protege, play with his mane, and smooth down and pat his back. After that the huge animal lay down and indicated that ho wanted a romp. Soon the two wero like youngsters at play, while the school teachers whispered: "Isn't it wonderful?" and the children laughed and questioned. Mary, the lioness, was less demonstrative, but allowed her exhibitor .to pat her neck, smooth her back, and handle her tail just as he liked. From tho lions we passed down to the eagle, who, as soon as he heard the well-known voice lowly sound "J.P.," shrieked his recognition" loudly enough to bo heard down at the entrance gato of the Zoo, and then threw back his head and laughed hilariously. From the eagle we passed to tho young -monkeys who, as soon as they heard their names called, jumped and stretched out four hands each to welcome tho attention of their old but playful friend. Next, wa visited Mascot, a monkey that was taken from a troopship. Ho is a very frolic-, somo youth, who, as soon as heard the welcome call for fun, prepared to romp in ecstacy. Noxt we went on to Jack, the big pig-tailed monkey. Jack prompt, ly put his chin forward,, as he does when he is very glad to see his old friend, and then thrust out his long arm to the shoulder to shako hands and pull the well-known hand of his protector up to his neck and hug it affectionately. From

the monkey we passed to tlie leopardess, and such was the evident confidence between her and her distinguished visitoi that the old. gentleman put his hand round her throat, smoothed down her head and neck, and placed his hand over her mouth. The demonstration was as far as it wont perfectly satisfactory, and the children who were privileged to see such an exhibition as had never before been given in the Wellington Zoo, were delighted beyond measure.