50



lias a high roof for shelter. Part of the run is covered over with

rain proof felt, which helps to keep the run dry. The end aviary

is rather exposed to the S.W. gales, so there are two removable

shelters made to rise on the outside of the run ; these are covered

with Duroline, a material consisting of woven wire, washed over

with a transparent yellow substance like varnish. This is quite

rain and wind proof, but lets in light and warmth. During the

summer (from May to November), I have kept in No i. aviary

a pair of Chinese Quails, two pairs of Gouldian Finches and a pair

of Zebra Finches.


In No. 2. I have had Zebra Finches, a pair of Trumpeter

Bullfinches, a North American Siskin, a cock Nonpareil, one

hen Chinese Quail, and a pair (or perhaps I should say two)

Bleeding-heart Pigeons.


In No. 3, a pair of Californian Partridges, two Rosy Pastors,

a Green Singing Finch, a pair of Parson Finches, and a pair of

White-headed Dove-birds


One pair of Chinese Quails had twenty-two eggs, but did

not sit steadily; and there was no result from these eggs, though

some were fertile. She then laid nine more eggs, and sat

steadily, hatching seven. Unfortunately I had to go to Scotland

the day they were hatched, and when I returned a month later

only one survived. I am told it is impossible to rear them with¬

out fresh ants’ eggs. Is this so ? The survivor lived for a week,

and was very healthy and lively on a diet of Abrahams’ mixture,

Spratt’s game meal, and small mealworms, but I found it dead

one morning. The hen Quail laid five more eggs, but it was

then too late in the year and I took them away.


My Gouldians nested freely, but only one hen laid. She

had five eggs, on which she and the cock both sat most faithfully,

but they did not hatch, tho’ all were fertile. They are now

indoors in a large cage, nesting again, but I must remove one

pair, as they disturb each other. I find these birds easy to keep

on canary seed, spray millet, and a little maw seed, with, in

summer, unlimited chickweed, grass tufts, and particularly

shepherd’s purse—and always cuttle-boue and egg shell. The

two pairs eat most of an egg shell in twenty-four hours.


The second pair of Gouldians have not nested, or rather

have not laid as yet. I see in the November No. of the “ Avicultural”

Mr. Wiener recommends the seed of a grass, Setaria glauca , as

very much appreciated by Gouldians. I wrote to Messrs. Sutton

for some, but they do not keep it. I should be glad to know

where I can get it.



