Reminiscences. 153 



the paean of victory one sounded when the tlrst baby birds did 

 at leni;th appear — then the k;st of acquisition, the growth and 

 development of one's aviaries. And all the time one was 

 learning, learning, learning. But the writer's experience and 

 knowledge were dearly bought, not only in hard cash, but by 

 remorse and through the narrow aisles of disappointment ! 

 Imagine the triuni])]! of rearing twelve Cuban Finches and seven 

 Cordon Bleus in one season, and then, the utter heartbroken 

 disappointment at losing every single bird because they were 

 considered to be " hardy." and, being aviary bred, able to stand 

 our vile English autumn. But such actually happened in the 

 Park Lodge aviaries. And to strike a personal note (for all 

 griefs are personal, whereas the triumphs »iay be shared), I 

 realised I had indeed bought my experience and listened to 

 others when my judgment told me better. How easily most 

 remember only their triumphs, whereas the tragedies, the heart- 

 aches, the losses, are put away from them as unpalatable. But 

 to new-r)orn aviculturists I would say one word, and that is. 

 Don't ]>e a moral coward. If you meet with failure, face it, 

 ponder over it. and don't be content until your reason and judg- 

 ment have found the cause of the failure. Don't be for ever 

 teaching Nature her job. Don't imagine a bird that lives and 

 revels in the torrid heat of Brazil, can enjoy the dreary darkness 

 of an English November. They may live, and when spring comes 

 return your lack of thought and Spartan treatment by presenting 

 you with a nest of most delightful wee birds. But, believe me, 

 they won't rej)eat that pleasure for you very often, and the 

 chances are they will one night ' fold up their tents like the 

 Arabs, and silently creep away.' — so softly that they will hardly 

 disturb Charon in his watch on the Styx. Yes, I know what 

 you will say and quote from the authorities and give instances 

 where birds have lived five, ten, fifteen, or even tw^enty years 

 in an open aviary. Why is it man remembers only the 

 exceptions ! ? Just think of it. I had 400-500 l)irds when I gave 

 up aviculture, but if you can find one hundred alive to-day I will 

 ■;i;id]v pay the F.B.C. £io tov.ards wiping out the deficit. Why 

 is it that with no fresh importations breeding results have sud- 

 denly dropped almo>t to nil, and most aviaries are to-day 



