100 the Endurance of Birds. 



confining them to the sheker for the winter, is only a partial 

 success. It docs check losses during the winter, but in the 

 spring, especially if it be a chilly one, when the birds are 

 given unrestricted liberty and nesting begins, losses among 

 hens are both maddening and distressing, and pneumonia 

 and other ills arc rife among both sexes. 



5. It is recognised that some species must ha\e a 

 certain degree of heat, i.e., not subjected to a lower tempera- 

 aturc than 50-60 degrees Far., all the year round. Such 

 species can only be subjected to out-door treatment during the 

 settled summer months, and that^ only after being carefully 

 " hardened-off,'' much as the gardener hardens-off his half- 

 hardy plants. 



6. That birds must be kept as hard as possible, 

 but that we are not justified in taking reckless risks, nor 

 in making reckless experiments. Pioneers may have had to 

 do so, but it is little short of wicked for those who follow to 

 do so ; as there is ample room for reasonable and profitable 

 experimentation without re-treading well-worn paths. I had 

 better state here to prevent being misunderstood that " well- 

 worn paths " has no conuL'ction with breeding again and 

 again species that have been bred before, for much is to be 

 gleaned therefrom; but I mean to imply that it is vain to 

 attempt experiments, of which there exists ample evidence that 

 such are futile. 



7. If there is to be progress in aviculture we must not 

 be slaves of the text-book; at the same time we must acquaint 

 ourselves with what has been done, so that we may make an 

 intelligent start, and not in ignorance inilict needless sufi'ering 

 upon the birds we seek to keep. Having done this we must 

 think, observe, and plan for ourselves. Also, we must be 

 seekers after truth, for to be mere bolsterers up of any given 

 theory or theories is an efiective check to all progress, for 

 then we are only too apt to observe in a given direction. 



Now, I think, to pursue the matter further would be to 

 needlessly and unproritably weary my readers, and I had better, 

 after thus declaring myself, answer as best 1 can the query— 



