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Mr. W. H. St. Quintin,



WADERS IN CAPTIVITY.


By W. H. St. Quintin, P'.Z.S.


There can be no doubt that, as the writer of the interesting

paper on the Ruff in the February number of the Magazine says,

the members of this family of birds are, to those who can

contrive a roomy aviary, with grass lawn, and abundance of

clean water, among the most charming of pets. If my

experience, especially as to diet, is likely to be of any use to

those who may be inclined to try Waders, but are deterred by

fear of trouble or cost, I shall be happy to give it.


In the first place, let me say that my experience entirety

confirms what Mr. Porter says as to the hardiness of many of the

Waders. I find that, if obtained with sound feet to begin with,

several species, especially if full-winged, are quite indifferent to

any frost that we ever have, even in East Yorkshire. And, if

the aviary has a lean-to shed at one end, facing South, as a

refuge, with clean gravel beneath it, even deep snow makes no

apparent difference to their comfort, if care is taken that they

always have access to unfrozen water.


(This does not apply to Snipe, W 7 oodcocks, Dunlins or

Dotterel, nor to some other birds, not Waders proper, but which

may be associated with the latter in mild weather, such as

Spoonbills, or the smaller Herons, Bitterns, etc.)


My own Waders’ aviary is 73 feet long, and 31 feet wide,

with a lean-to shed at the North end, and a pond with a stream

running through it near the opposite end, about 21 feet by 10

feet.


Some yews and hollies, kept low, afford shelter on the

East. And I found it necessary to board up the sides, and the

South end of the aviary, to a height of 18 inches. This gives

shelter from wind, and prevents the occupants, when new

comers, from fretting up and down against the wire netting.


Part of the ground is gravelled over, part is under turf;

and I have tussocks, and clumps of the coarser grasses here and

there to give shelter and a sense of security.


Here I have kept for several 3'ears, and apparently in



