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need it. Two nests were built bv my pair : the first in a large cage, the

other in an aviary, and four eggs were laid in each ; but all the eggs were

clear. M. D. Sharp.


[It would be interesting to know the exact temperature in which Miss

Sharp keeps her Gouldian Finches during the winter.—H. R. F.]


THE TEMPERATURE OF THE BIRD ROOM.


Sir, —I am very much obliged for the replies to my questions. I am

already acting upon the advice given, and am having some aviaries built in

my bird-room which will, I hope, enable me to be more successful in breed¬

ing Zebra Finches next year. The Cardinals already look better on their

more generous diet.


I am particularly interested in Mr. Phillipps’ account of his bird-room,

although his birds seem to be chiefly large, and mine are chiefly small. I

should like to ask him a few questions, and perhaps his replies will be useful

to others as well as to me. (i) At what temperature does he keep his bird-

room during the winter ? (2) Should foreign birds be encouraged to nest


during the winter? (3) If, in spite of discouragement, they want to nest in

winter-time, should they be separated ? (4) What is (generally speaking) a


sufficient temperature to maintain when the hardiest foreign birds, such as

Ribbon Finches, Saffron Finches and Parson Finches, are breeding?


(5) On one little point I beg respectfully to differ from Mr. Phillipps :

I think it is the duty of every true Avieulturist to endeavour so to keep his

birds as to cause as little inconvenience as possible to the other members

of his household. But perhaps Mr. Phillipps was only joking.


Septimus Perkins.


Answers.


(1) 53 degrees—54 degrees Fahr.; in close weather, however, it runs

higher; but any more delicate birds are usually kept warmer, in another

room.


(2) No.


(3) In my opinion, as a general rule they should be separated.


(4) This depends very greatly on circumstances, and on what the

individual birds have been accustomed to. Personally, I am quite satisfied

that they are customarily kept too cold. The frequent deaths from egg¬

binding, inflammation,etc., are brought about, direCtly or indirectly, from too

low a temperature, more often than from other causes. Birds flying about

in a large place, in prime condition, and judiciously treated, will often breed

successfully, for a time, in a cool aviary, but this seldom lasts long; at the

second or third nest, the hen often dies. I11 my opinion, the nearer to 70

degrees they are kept the better.


(5) Agreed; but, joking apart, the ladies of the household should have

some regard for the tastes and pursuits of the bread-winner of the family,

who often has much to worry him, and needs relaxation. A man, if worth

anything, must be occupied; and they should be thankful that his occupa¬

tion is an innocent one, and not forget that, if he has his “ fads,” they have

theirs also, which are very often childish and irritating in the eyes of a man :

bear and forbear on both sides, if you please.


- Reginald Phillipps.


NESTING OF THE ORANGE WEAVER.


Sir, —I have a beautiful Orange Bishop which, with his mate, had

been in my possession three years without showing any signs of nesting or

pairing till about a month ago. I then placed them in an aviary, about 3ft.

by 4ft. and 7ft. high, all to themselves, with the Hartz cage, which they had

chosen, in the front corner rather high, with its opening towards the further

end, to ensure privacy. This change caused delay, but after a time the

cock continued his nest-building with wood wool packing stuff. The nest

is not artisticalty made, but perfectly smooth inside although not lined with



