Rare dodo descendant hatches out at city zoo

5 years ago

A RARE chick of the closest living relative to the extinct dodo has hatched at Edinburgh Zoo. The endangered Nicobar pigeon can be spotted in the aviary after its arrival on October 25. The mainly grounddwelling birds, native to the Andaman Islands, with brightly coloured feathers are the closest living relatives to the dodo. Sean Meechan, senior animal keeper, said: “We are really pleased to see that the chick is doing well. Both parents have been keeping a watchful eye and will continue tending to it until about one month old. We have a while to wait before the chick starts to show off its adult colours.”

10 year ago

SCOTLAND have been left looking for a new coach for next year’s Six Nations rugby tournament after Andy Robinson’s resignation. Robinson had conceded that, after a string of poor results, defeat by Tonga on Saturday was unacceptable. He told The Herald: “It’s the right time to go. I’ve really enjoyed working with the players and coaches and I’ve got a lot of respect for Scottish rugby. I’ve addressed the players and management today. I’m pretty clear, and have been for the last three matches, about what we’ve needed to do. We’ve just not been able to execute it.”

25 years ago

THE Scottish tourist trade has been hit by the strength of the pound, according to the latest Scottish Tourism Index released yesterday. The index, produced by the Scottish Tourist Board and the Royal Bank of Scotland, shows the strong pound has made Scotland a relatively expensive destination for foreign visitors while also allowing Scots to travel cheaply abroad. However, the Scottish Tourist Board said the evidence that 1997 had not been as good as 1996 masked the fact that Scotland was increasingly attracting visitors all year round.

50 years ago

SPECIAL “Christmas shopper” trains are to be run by British Rail to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen today and for the next three Saturdays. In addition, there will be an extension of the period when economy fares, giving a 20% saving on usual day return fares, are to operate. The first shoppers’ special will run today from Tain, Fearn, Invergordon and Dingwall to Aberdeen, and from main line stations in Ayrshire direct to Edinburgh. Three special trains will run on December 2 from selected stations in Fife to Glasgow, from Inverness and Nairn to Aberdeen, and from Oban and Connel Ferry to Glasgow.

100 years ago

THE announcement that the premises in Sauchiehall Street, familiarly known as Hengler’s Circus, are to be reopened next month will be received with general satisfaction, and particularly by the children. The reopening of the premises under the name of The Water Circus comes at an appropriate time, and as the programme to be provided will be once added to the list of city entertainments. After the circus buildings have been overhauled the opening performances will be given on December 2. It is satisfactory to know the new venture in familiar surroundings will have the benefit of Mr Hengler’s long association with circus entertainment.