Avmry Observations. 79 



Having thus briefly stated the case, I feel that my 

 purpose can be best served by stating: How I Observe My 

 Birds. 



First, however, T must emphasize the importance of 

 systematic and methodical observation and note-taking, if our 

 bird-keeping is to be elevated from a mere hobby to an act- 

 ual cult, and also indicate what I consider the main lines 

 calling for persistent study. 



Aviculture should solve many points of the life his- 

 tories of many species, especially sue"h species as are of a 

 retiring demeanour, concerning whose life histories but little 

 can be learned by the ordinary process of field observation — 

 though much ha«! been done of late years by observers arrang- 

 ing some concealment whereby they are able to watch, the 

 watched being ignorant of their presence. 



The points most calling for the attention of avicul- 

 turists are roughly as follows : — 



1. Character of nest, and do both sexes build? 



2. Period of incubation, and do both sexes incubate? 



3. Colour of egg-s. 



4. Description of callow young. 



5. Description of nestling plumage. 



6. Age young leave the nest. 



7. Manner they are fed and what on. 



8. Demeanour of parent birds during feeding and learing. 



9. Age young are able to fend for themselves. 



10. Age they assume adult plumage and process. 



11. Age. at which the young have their first nest. 



There are many other features which will commend 

 themselves to the thoughtful observer, and every interesting 

 epi.sode should be entered in a lx)ok kept handy for the purpose. 

 The demeanour of each species kept should be observed and 

 recorded, and not merely of one individual pair, 'but the re- 

 cord should be continuous for comparison purposes: for, the 

 records of a single pair or individual, as to amiability and 

 other features of their life prove but little. 



Now, how best can we secure this? Observation must 

 be made, or we gain but little for the expenditure of time and 

 money we lavish upon our birds, save a little personal interest 

 and pleasure. When I first began to take up and record the 

 doings of the birds in my aviary, 1 read other people's meth- 

 ods, as many as I could get hold of, and thought the matter 



