Bevieto.



261



for when the aviarist is near they are patterns of good behaviour.

As few pairs as possible in one aviary is the golden rule. That, we

may take it, is the secret of Dr. Amsler’s and Mr. Teschemaker’s

success.


Another cause of poor breeding results is the introduction of

fresh birds into the aviary at any odd moment the bird-keeper has a

fancy for. It only upsets the birds for 24 hours, but 24 minutes

would spoil a clutch of eggs or cause the birds to desert.


Finally, for the purpose of this article, we come to too much

interference on the part of the owner or attendant, and also, in the

same category, too many open-mouthed wonder-struck visitors.

Birds take their domestic duties very seriously, and with a view

to perpetuating the species, not to amuse and “interest” a lot of

unwieldy looking and inquisitive humans. Long dissertations on

any subject in the aviary are also singularly unappreciated by birds.

As also are banging of doors, hammering in nails, or playing a tune

in a minor key on the wire netting. Strange dogs, which the friend

of your bosom brings with him or her, upset the birds even more

than a visitor does in a school class. Really birds do not want

entertaining half as much as we poor humans do. All they ask is

to be left alone as much as possible and to be allowed to have

peaceful neighbours. One is told, to the point of weariness, that

the birds soon get used to your going in and out and take no notice

of it. True, but so does the felon get used to bread and water when

in gaol. It is not from choice.


To sum up, if the birds are not breeding there is a cause. It

is for the true aviculturist to find out the cause, and when found

remedy it.



REVIEW.


“ BRITISH BIRDS.” *


Mr. A. Thorburn’s third volume of this fine work has been

published, and is in no way behind the first two volumes in quality.


[* British Birds, written and illustrated by A. THORBURN, F.Z.S., with

eighty plates in colour, showing over four hundred species. In four volumes.

Vol. III. LONGMANS, Green & Co., 39, Paternoster Kow, London, 1916.]



