197 



September and October, (possibly it is extended by a 

 few weeks either way) ; they usually rear two broods ; 

 five white eggs are laid and incubation lasts 12 to 13 

 days. They gather in large numbers at the water 

 holes, morning and evening. At these places the 

 trappers set their nets and snares, capturing them in 

 large numbers ; it is mostly young birds that are 

 taken. 



Their wants in captivity are of the simplest ; 

 canary, white and spray millet, form their staple bill of 

 fare, while oats and paddy rice are also eaten. Rock 

 salt, cuttlefish, and a cube of loaf sugar, with plenty 

 of grass in flower and other green food, should be 

 regularly supplied. [They are better without the 

 sugar. — Ed.] In the winter and early spring I always 

 use French lettuce as greenfood. Green oats {i.e. oats 

 in the ear), are very wholesome, and are greedily eaten 

 when in season. My birds also pick over the soft food 

 mixture supplied to the other birds. 



It must be admitted that these lovely birds are a 

 great disappointment and trial to many, new purchases 

 dying off very quickly ; losses with new deliveries of 

 all kinds of birds I fear there always will be, as most 

 aviculturists know to their cost ; but once acclimatised 

 and kept hygienically, Gouldians are neither delicate 

 nor difficult to keep. They need space and must have 

 a roomy cage"^ with plenty of perches (natural branches 

 by preference). If confined in a small cage, they lack 

 exercise, get over fat, and soon "shuffle off." At the 

 same time they neither need hot-house treatment, nor 



* What few cages I use for such purposes are 3ft. by isin. by 3oiu. high, 

 well furnished with twiggy branches, having a retiring corner, which also 

 contains the nesting receptacle. 



