I09 



SOME AVICULTURAL NOTES.* 



\V. II. ST. QUINTIN, J.P., F.Z.S., etc., 

 Scjinpsloii. E. YoiUs. 



I FEEL that I have no business to select such a subject as I 

 have chosen for my address, unless I can show that I have 

 also some contribution to offer, however humble, to the science 

 which is the bond which unites us together. Now, what can 

 an a\'iculturist do in this direction ? How far is the keeping 

 of birds in captivity of any scientific value ? I put aside 

 altogether the keeping of birds for exhibition purposes. It 

 cannot be claimed that science learns much from bird show^s as 

 such, although of course, the demand for rare and beautiful 

 ' exhibits ' does stimulate the importation of uncommon species, 

 and brings into the country birds which would otherwise not 

 come into the possession of those who wish to keep them for 

 purposes of study. 



I think an aviculturist's hobby is only likely to produce 

 scientific results if his birds are kept, first of all in good health 

 and condition ; and secondl}-, as far as possible imder fairly 

 natural conditions, and especially if they can be induced to 

 breed. 



If an a\-iculturist is fortunate and successful, he can, to a 

 considerable extent, supplement the work of the scientist in 

 the laboratory and museum, by filling up gaps in the history 

 of a bird, and by elucidating points which it may not be possible 

 to observe in the case of a bird when at liberty. As examples, 

 I will presently refer to certain habits of the Sandgrouse and 

 Brush Tiu-key. 



In referring to my birds, I mean to treat of some facts, 

 which l:)esides being curious and interesting, have not been 

 recorded in the standard ornithological works which we gener- 

 ally consult ; though sometimes they have been noticed in some 

 of the journals. At the same time I will, as far as I can, only 

 deal with such actions and habits as might be expected of 

 birds in a state of freedom, if one had opportunities of seeing 

 them ; and to steer clear altogether from noting the eccentric 

 behaviour of individuals, which, though often amusing enough, 

 are of no scientific value. 



* Being the Presidential Address to tlie Yorksliirc Naturalists' Union, 

 delivered at Scarborough on Dec. iith, 1909. 



1910 Mar. I. 



