All Rights Reserved. November, 1919. 



BIRD NOTES: 



THE 



JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. 



Reminiscences. 



By Dr. L. Lovell Keays, F.Z.S. 

 (Continued from page 204). 



On looking back to a somewhat meteoric career as an 

 aviculturist I am often asked what I considered my most 

 successful achievement. Unhesitatingly I should say the 

 breeding of Bearded Reedlings {Panurus biarmicus). The 

 birds themselves are perha})s the most charming of all our 

 British soft-bills, and, contrary to the experience of many 

 aviculturists I found them very easy to keep. Newly imported 

 birds are a bother sometimes, but once they settle down nothing 

 seems to ail them. Their diet is simple, viz: a good insectile 

 mixture, a good few mealworms and a roomy cage or flight. 

 They are inveterate bathers, and certainly do not require heat. 

 although they do appreciate a warm shelter, and thrive better 

 if kept in a frost-proof place. The cock bird is most amusing, 

 and is very keen on displaying his eastern-looking moustaches 

 to his mate, an attention that does not seem to arouse any great 

 degree of enthusiasm on her part. Certainly, in the non-breeding 

 season several pairs can be kept in a good-sized cage, and in 

 the breeding season I have kept them in a small aviary where 

 at least three pairs shared the aviary, and I have never noticed 

 any -inclination to real quarrelling. The hens are the most 

 attractive, demure little creatures imaginable. When my ship 

 comes home I shall most certainly keep Bearded Reedlings 

 again, and I can recommend them to other aviculturists as an 

 ideal aviary bird. Their antics never cease to amuse one, and 

 they perform feats worthy of the Hoatzin. The way they climb 

 up reeds is positively amazing with their little legs straddled 



