52



K. L. Skinner — Hints for Aviculturists



here ever since 1906. The series of Hornbills is fine, consisting of the

Ground Hornbill (the “ Turkey ” of the colonists), the Trumpeter

Hornbill, witli his great helmet, also the Grey, Red-billed, and Yellow¬

billed species, these latter having been imported straight from the

local bushveld.


The birds of prey are housed in eighteen roomy cages. The inmates

include the Condor, the Black-eared Vulture, Kolbe’s Vulture or

Aasvogel, the Egyptian Vulture, the Caracara, the Verreaux, Tawny,

and Bateleur Eagles. Here also are the Jackal Buzzard (often to be

seen at Regent’s Park), the Steppe Buzzard, the Spotted and Grass

Owls. The large bird house is a shed devoted to Storks, Cranes, Peafowl,

etc. ; some domestic poultry are also shown here.


With regard to the buildings, the keynote throughout is simplicity

with efficiency, and the visitor from Europe will not find at Pretoria

elaborate edifices with heating apparatus and glass bricks; this

austral Zoo has gone “ back to nature ”, and every aviculturist will

wish it well.



HINTS FOR AVICULTURISTS: THE PRESERVA¬

TION OF EGGS


By K. L. Skinner, Editor of the Oologists’ Exchange and Mart


Clutches .—The contents of a nest is termed a “ clutch ” , and is

at best the full number of eggs laid by the bird. Some birds (e.g.

Puffin, Razorbill, Storm Petrel) lay but one, and then one is the clutch ;

others, such as Pigeons, Nightjars, etc., lay only two, and then two

is the clutch. Eggs from one nest should never be mixed with those

from any other, and should be marked in such a wav that each clutch

can be distinguished. Experienced collectors can always tell if eggs

have been mixed, and a collector once found out in this is never trusted

again.


Marking Eggs.- —Keep clutches quite separate until they are blown,

and when they are blown and are quite dry mark thepi with a soft

pencil. Never mark them with ink or with indelible pencil. Employ

whatever system of marking you fancy, but the best is as follows :

Take a notebook or exercise book and record in it all vour clutches



