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 ".
