..a famously dangerous East End haunt where exotic birds could be purchased
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s.hardy
Mar 06, 2018
In 1862, ships with between 20,000 and 30,000 parrots on board were regularly leaving Adelaide for London
The mortality rates were reported to be appalling. One newspaper report speaks of seeing these boats moored at Cairo with the birds gasping for breath
In 1889, 300,000 koalas were killed for their fur, which was exported to London. By the early 20th Century the figure was one million koalas per year
Exotic butterflies were hugely popular with British collectors, who would "disable" their quarry by placing a drop of an opium-based tincture called laudanum on the butterfly's head. This caused the butterfly to remain flexible, so its wings could easily be opened when placed in a display case
In 1862, ships with between 20,000 and 30,000 parrots on board were regularly leaving Adelaide for London
The mortality rates were reported to be appalling. One newspaper report speaks of seeing these boats moored at Cairo with the birds gasping for breath
In 1889, 300,000 koalas were killed for their fur, which was exported to London. By the early 20th Century the figure was one million koalas per year
Exotic butterflies were hugely popular with British collectors, who would "disable" their quarry by placing a drop of an opium-based tincture called laudanum on the butterfly's head. This caused the butterfly to remain flexible, so its wings could easily be opened when placed in a display case