2



T. Hebb—An Avicultural Tragedy



a Jackal—the hues of the bird thrown up by a brilliant background—

will understand how this handsome Eagle would appeal to the romantic

fancies of the ancients.


To us the Phoenix symbolizes not merely the beginning of a new

zoological year, but also the revival of Aviculture. The renaissance

of art and literature in the sixteenth century is being paralleled in

minor degree by a renaissance of science in the twentieth. All the

later issues of the Magazine evidence the renewal of interest in keeping

live birds, and although it would be at present premature to speak of

them, several new zoological schemes well worthy of the name have

come to the notice of the Editor. Soon aviary and paddock will be

vocal with song and bright with colour, as of old ; from the ends of

the earth the bird riches of the world begin once more to flow

towards us.


The Editor thanks his contributors for the brilliant papers con¬

tinually offered him, for the donations to the Illustration Fund, and for

the numerous avicultural notes supplied. His best thanks are likewise

due to the eminent naturalists who have undertaken the reviewing

of books for the Magazine.



AN AVICULTURAL TRAGEDY


By. T. Hebb


Although I am fond of all birds, Australian species have been my

favourites. I have kept almost every kind of Australian Parrakeet and

Finch, and it has lately been my hobby to try to get them to nest.

I have had Kings, Browns, Red and Mealy Rosellas, Hooded, Many-

coloured, Pennants, Crimson-winged, Barrabands, Lorikeets, and many

others—all lovely and interesting birds, most of which I have induced

to nest, and they have reared young with me. I now have Rosellas,

Senegal Parrots, Blossomheads, Peach-faced and Black-faced Love¬

birds, Red-rumps, and Budgerigars; the latter consist of Green,

Yellow, Blue-bred Green, and Blue varieties. The Blue Budgerigars

have gone to nest, and I hope soon to see young birds of this much

coveted colour.



