ZOO ACQUISITIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21278, 3 September 1932, Page 10

ZOO ACQUISITIONS

SHIPMENT FROM SYDNEY ARRIVAL NEXT WEEK KANGAROOS, MONKEYS AND BIRDS * A consignment of animals and birds acquired by tho Auckland City Council from the trustees of the Taronga Park Zoo, Sydney, is expected to arrive by the Maunganui on Tuesday. The collection includes a pair of great red kangaroos, one female great grey kangaroo, obtained as a mate for the male animal already at the zoo, and a pair of great wallaroos. The last-named are closely akin to the great grey kangaroo, but are darker in colour, with black heads and feet. The animals will be a notable addition to the zoo's collection of large marsupials.

A patas monkey, a native of West Africa, and a pig-tailed monkey, belonging to Java, are expected to prove interesting to visitors. The patas monkey is bright-hued, and the other takes its name from it s short tail. It is possible that both will be found suitable for tethering to poles in the open. Another acquisition is a female Australian satin bower-bird. There is already a male of this species at the Zoo. Bower-birds are so called because of their fondness for building bowers or canopied nests upon the ground. In front of the nest they make a "playground," dotted with any bright that are available, such as feathers, pieces of broken china and glass and snail shells. They have a particular fondness for anything blue. A special enclosure is being provided, and it is hoped that the pair may be induced to build a bower in the coming breeding season. The male bird, although living alone, has* already been noticed carrying bright-coloured feathers about in his beak.