THE


Avicultural Magazine


BEING THE JOURNAL OF

THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY

FOR THE STUDY OF

FOREIGN & BRITISH BIRDS

IN FREEDOM & CAPTIVITY


Third Series.— Vol. XII— No. 1.— All rights reserved. JANUARY, 1921.


DIET FOR REARING YOUNG BIRDS


By Maurice Amsler, M.B., F.Z.S.


I see from notes by Mr. Seth-Sniith in the November issue of the

Journal that 1920 has been a very poor breeding season. Although my

fellow-members have my sympathy, I must admit that the statement

brought me some measure of comfort and consolation.


The past season has been the worst in my experience since I first

took up foreign birds. A few Diamond Doves and four Swainson's

Lorikeets are all I can boast of after months of care and attention.

Orange-headed Ground Thrushes looked promising ; the male gave all

his titbits to the female even after the moult was completed in October,

but beyond the carrying of a few straws there was no attempt at

reproduction.


My present pair are both young and vigorous birds, and my failure

is all the more disappointing as in previous years I have seldom failed

to get at least two nests of young.


It may not be out of place here to advise those who may be

keeping these (or allied) species to separate the male from the female

when all breeding is over. My experience with more than one pair is

that the male is more attentive during the breeding season, but that

jitter the moult he chases the hen about, prevents her feeding, and by

generally bullying her either causes her death or finally kills her, unless

separated in time. When springtime comes round the hen will turn

the tables on the cock if he is introduced to her too early.


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