io7



seed ? Of course, all birds will breed if allowed the undisturbed enjoyment

of a sufficiently spacious aviary, provided the food, the temperature, arid

the general surroundings, sufficiently approximate to those to which they

have"been accustomed in their natural state. We didn’t need “Dr. H.” to


teach us that. Septimus Perkins.



The article on the reproduction of birds, translated from L' Aviculteur by

Mr. A. J. Jones, which appeared in the July number of our magazine, does little

to solve the very interesting question of the cause of sterility in certain

species of animals and birds in captivity.


Dr. H. states dogmatically that “this sterility is the result of

disease;” but he does not state what disease, nor does he advance any

argument in favour of his theory. On the other hand,. every amateur

knows that many species of birds which do not breed in captivity are

healthy and long-lived ; and, in fact, it is not too much to say that the

length of life of a given individual or a given species varies inversely with

its breeding capacity. For instance, Zebra Finches, which breed very

freelv in captivity, are, as a rule, short lived; whereas the Weavers,, which

seldom shew any disposition to reproduce their species, are particularly

easy to maintain in health, and frequently attain a great age. Dr. H.’s

statement that wild animals, reputed to be unproductive, attain a short life

in captivity, is directly contradicted by' experience. The common Canary is

a good instance of this : the male bird kept as a pet in solitary confinement

frequently lives from io to 15 years, or even longer, while the average

duration of life in Canaries used for breeding is much less.


Dr. H. tells us that in reproducing rare birds, food is the least

important point. Has Dr. H. ever tried the effect of adding ants’ eggs 01-

other animal food to the diet of a pair of seed-eating birds ?


The truth is, that the effect of captivity upon the function of

reproduction is a subject but little understood. That some species re¬

produce their kind freely, while in other nearly allied species the function

remains absolutely in abeyance is a fact of which, so far as I am aware, no

satisfactory explanation has as yet been given. The illustrious naturalist

Darwin discusses the question, if I recollect rightly, in the “ Origin of

Species,” but without affording any satisfactory' solution.


C. S. Simpson.



A HAND-REARED BLACKBIRD.


Sir, — T he account of the tame Starling in the June Avicultural

Magazine is very' interesting, and I find that Blackbirds reared from the nest

get equally tame.


I reared one that would follow me all over the house. He learnt to

whistle “Home, sweet home,” and imitated any sounds I made, and would

shriek with delight when I came in from a walk. Once, when I went to stay'

near Windermere, I offered him his liberty by letting him loose in a wood

near the house ; but in the evening, he fluttered at one of the windows until

admitted, and after that, I allowed him to fly out every day', as he always

returned when I called him. Blackbirds have a large amount of fun and

mischief in them. He would fight with my' fingers, and pretend to bite ;

and loved to tear up paper and make his cage untidy as soon as it was

cleaned. He used to take the water-glass and purposely' upset it on the

sand or food-pot. I fed him on “ Capelle’s Food ” and worms, and he liked

cooked vegetables and bread, etc., also every kind of fruit.


Later on, I will tell y'ou of my wonderful little Swallows, and a young

Robin, and others I have kept.



A. M. Wordsworth.



