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She is the tamest bird I ever had, and will allow me to pull her

about and roll her on the table ; she makes a kind of warbling noise of

satisfaction all the time.


Every summer she has laid two or three eggs. Before laying she gets

uneasy and seedy, and we give her a teaspoonful of brandy in a table-

spoonful of water. This she drinks greedily, and next morning there is an

egg at the bottom of the cage. T. B. WhyTEHEAD.



TOUCANS.


Sir, — Will you please let me know the following: —


Can Toucans be kept in an outdoor aviary ? How many pairs could

be accommodated in an aviary — run 15ft. by 12ft., house 12ft. by 9ft. ? How

are they fed? What different kinds could be kept together? Would they'

be likely to nest and what should be provided for them ?


C. Castpe Seoane.


The following reply was sent to Mr. Castle Slonne :


Many years ago I had an Ariel Toucan; and my personal knowledge

of Toucans is limited to this one bird.


During the warm weather it was occasionally' loosed in the garden

aviary; but it was very aggressive, and was usually kept in the house.

And often as I have seen Toucans I have never met with one in an outdoor

aviary, neither have I ever heard of one being so kept in this country.


I can suppose that a well-seasoned bird, in a large well-protected

aviary’, might stand a good deal of outdoor aviary life, but do not think it at

all likely that it could stand our winter and spring without artificial warmth.

It is looselv feathered about the body, conies from the tropics, and 1

earnestly hope you will not make the experiment.


I11 the aviary y’ou mention, two non-nesting pairs might be kept

together, or even three; but they are active birds, and like plenty of space,

and, although sociable, are not over amiable in confinement.


I am referring to the true Toucans (Ramphastos), which are large

birds. The Aracaris are much smaller.


In a good sized place, if kept warm enough , I see no reason whatever

why a pair should not breed, for they are not shy birds in captivity'. I think

they all nest in holes of trees; and the more natural the hollow tree-trunk

you could manage to supply them with the more likely would they be to

take to it.


Feed on fruits, vegetables, raisins cut up, boiled egg, and a little raw

meat. Their food should be in lumps or pieces which they can readily pick

up. For instance, bananas, boiled carrots, and the like should be cut up

into lumps. I should also offer them mealworms and cockroaches. If

they will take these, it might be better not to give meat. My Toucan

would dart into the air as straight as a bullet at any small bird flying past

within four or five feet. I am satisfied that they do not live only on fruit

and berries. In our cold climate, too, they require something more

substantial. The warmer they are kept, the less meat food they require.

Young sparrows and mice are better for them than solid meat.


As regards species, I am not able to advise you. Although sociable, I

do not know that different species associate or would live in peace together



