342 



jEMtorial. 



FKCUNDITY of YKI.I^OW BtJDGEKIGAKS AND GOUI.DIAN 

 I'iNCHES, KXC. — Again quoting from personal correspondence 

 with our esteemed member Capt. Perreau, it is very evident 

 that the Indian cHmate is better suited for Australian birds 

 than our own. Of course Budgerigars are very prolific in this 

 country in an outdoor aviary, but I tliink that Capt. P.'s results 

 (50) from a cock and two hens during one season are certainly 

 remarkable. Not the least remarkable is the fact of two hens 

 dwelling together in unity under one lord and master. The 

 reverse has been the general experience in English aviaries I 

 think, so that it has almost become a rule, that if you want to 

 aiullify results have an odd female in the aviary, certainly such 

 has beeu my own experience and that of many other avicul- 

 turists. Capt. P. remarks that the cold season of India though 

 cold for anywhere is not so trying as an English winter. Out 

 of a consignment of 50 imported from Englaiul there were 

 comparatively few survivors, the aforementioned Yellow Bud- 

 gerigars, Long-tailed Grassfinches, Grey-headed Lovebirds, 

 «tc. ; the Longtails reared six in 1906 and four in 1907. The 

 •G. H. Lovebirds reared seven in 1906 and the same number in 



1907. 



" As regards Goiildiaiis I think I have been very lucky, for which I 

 " thitik the climate is largely responsible, cold as it is when Gouldians are 

 " breeding, it is far better than the ordinary winter weather at home. I 

 "fully e.xpected snow to-day as four fine young Gouldians left the nest 

 "yesterday (Dec. 29th). In 1905-6, twenty-two were reared from two pairs, 

 " sixteen were left outside and ail survived; si.v were taken indoors and 

 " four died." 



Capt. P. promises another article on Gouldians, which I 

 am sure all members will appreciate ; from Capt. P.'s experience 

 I deduce that the aviary most suitable for Gouldians should 

 have the greater part of the flight covered in, a combination 

 roof of wood and glass should answer well, and I am of opinion 

 this applies to most species of Grassfinches. 



The Berwn Bird Exhibition. — The following account, 

 which a German correspondent has sent me, will doubtless 

 interest many of our exhibiting members. 



" The Berlin Bird Exhibition opened on Jaiuiary nth and closed on the 

 " Mtli. On the day following the close of the Exhibition, W'ednesday, the 



