CORNWALL PARK BIRDS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 111, 23 April 1936, Page 4

CORNWALL PARK BIRDS

Two Keas and a Peacock Added MORE BUDGERIGARS During the past few weeks the inmates of the aviary at Cornwall Park have been added to considerably irf number and also in variety, and with the arrival of a pair of keas and a peacock last evening, thia feathered community now exceeds 130. The keas and peacock arrived from Auckland in excellent condition and they are the outcome of negotiations that were opened up during the recent municipal conference, when Auckland authorities made the Hastings borough the offer of a number of birds from the zoological gardens at a very reasonable charge.

The three birds in question were all bred at the Auckland zoo and consequently are quite tame. The peacock was immediately put with the other members of its species. Though in the meantime the keas are occupying a separate pen, if is expected that they shortly will be housed with the parrots. Some 40 or more budgerigars, from the stock of the well-known Hastings breeder aud fancier, Mr R. C. Forster, have been recently added and their particular pen is now one of the big attractions at Cornwall Park, the “budgies” having a great appeal to young and old alike. It is not generally known that there are kingfishers in the aviary. At one time there were three, but one was drowned. They are fod on a diet of fish and meat, the former being caught at Windsor Park, where, incidentally, at frequent periods may be seen other kingfishers. The net catch per week for these two kingfishers is about 60 fish.