io6 Practical Bird-Kekping. 



turning over stones, etc., in search of food, is very amusing. I 

 find them quite easy to keep, fed and treated as above indicated, 

 but cannot say the same of Ringed Plover, Dunlins and Sander- 

 lings, which probably require more varied diet and closer 

 attention than I can give — anyhow, they do not thrive perman- 

 ently with me. I say " permanently " because it is quite easy to 

 keep these small birds for a few weeks or months, but as they 

 then usually get out of condition they cannot be regarded as 

 satisfactory inmates of an aviary such as mine. Golden Plover 

 and Grey Plover are not difficult to keep, but the Lapwing 

 generally gets out of condition and in my opinion it is cruel 

 to attempt to keep it in a small enclosure. The same remark 

 does not apply to its relative the spur-winged Cayenne Plover of 

 America, which gives me no difficulty in a small enclosure. It 

 is, however, a very fierce bird at times. I see that a few years 

 ago I wrote to the Aviadtural Maoazi?ie urging the claims of the 

 Avocet as the most charming of Waders. Wider experience 

 (not my own only) has led me to believe that until we know 

 more of their needs it is useless to try and keep these delightful 

 birds. I am well aware that now and again Avocets are success- 

 fully kept, but the percentage of failure is enormous. Redshanks 

 are more delicate than many other birds and are apt to moult 

 badly. One of the most desirable birds for a small Waders 

 aviary is the Allen's rail. It is, however, apt to catch cold if 

 allowed to roost out of doors in severe winters. The Martinique 

 Rail is also a charming little bird, but not so elegant. The 

 common English Water-Rail I have found quite easy to keep, 

 and it looks quite in place sneaking between clumps of rough 

 grass by the water's edge. The Australian Pectoral Rail if kept 

 with small birds should be watched closely, as it is apt to be 

 a bully. It gives, however, no trouble in itself, and at present I 

 have a pair nesting. Red-necked Phalaropes I have only kept a 

 short time. I brought some from Iceland a few years ago to give 

 to friends, whilst with me, the birds flourished on maggots and 

 were tame beyond belief. I would strongly urge on lovers of 

 small Waders the desirability of having red-necked Phalaropes, 

 which are not so diflScult to obtain as is sometimes supposed. 

 Not many people have practical experience of them, but I have 



