96


Under such conditions I have kept African Weavers, Green Singingr

Ribbon and Zebra Finches, Indian Avadavats and Mannikins, and Java

Sparrows in my garden aviary here in London, constructed similarly to an

ordinary fowl-run and shed. They have exhibited the demeanour afore-

mentioned, and by it have left no doubt as to their happiness and well-being

— this is actual experience, not belief— t\\e. bath is never absent, and they bathe

freely in the most inclement weather.


As already stated in the Magazine, I had a young Java Sparrow fly on

November 6tli last, and it is now in the pink of condition, still, of course,

in its nest feathers. I have only had two deaths in two years, and these

occurred in late summer (one Weaver stuck in the moult and one Java

Sparrow in a fit). It seems to me, that these facts speak for themselves,

and I fail to see any cruelty in the practice when the birds, by their

demeanour and song, most certainly say otherwise, [a)


As to Green Avadavats, the Rev. C. D. Farrar has wintered them out

of doors, and what is more, bred from them early the following season. I

am of the belief that most of the Grass-finches could be so wintered with

advantage to themselves, but this I have not yet tried.


We;si,e;y T. Page.



Sir, — It is naturally with great hesitation that I venture to differ

from so experienced an aviculturist as Mr. Phillipps.


If experiments to test the hardiness of birds were certainly fore-

doomed to failure (and even success of no great iiuportance) they might

well be considered cruel ; but is the failure such a certainty ? Considering

the number of birds native to warm climates that are now kept with perfect

success in open air aviaries throughout the year, it is not unreasonable to

suppose that there are others that would thrive under the same treatment,

and it seems to me that to add to the list would be an important service to

aviculture. In making experiments to this end I am afraid it is inevitable

that there should be victims, but each of these will teach a useful lesson

which will justify the apparent cruelty.


A large out-of-door aviary is more within the means of most people

than one of similar extent under cover and warmed ; birds that do not

mind the exposure will surely pass thus a happier existence than confined

in cages or small aviaries in a warm bird-room.


Mr. Phillipps' description of birds in cold weather certainly does not

apply to my Green Avadavats. I have particular!}- noticed them on the

few days of sharp frost we have had this winter and have always found

them as lively, spruce and active as on a bright summer day.


As regards separating the sexes, I advise this, not because the females

mind the cold, but because some birds will not learn that our winter is not

the suitable season for breeding, and the females, in consequence, get egg-

bound. However, most of the species I keep out make no attempt to breed

during the winter, and of these there is no necessity to separate the sexes.


(a) Mr. Page might have mentioned many more svich facts — I could mention many

more myself— but I remain unconverted. There is another side to the picture, of which

I have too often beesi an unhappy spectator. — K. P.



