DANGEROUS BIRDS.



Sir, —Following up Mr. Rotliera’s most interesting article on this

subject, I should like to give my experience.


First, I must agree with him that, in many instances, a whole family

of birds has been branded dangerous because of the peculiar temperament

of perhaps one specimen under observation ; and, in the few notes I am

going to jot down, I wish it to be understood that of the birds I shall

mention I have had many different specimens and have watched them

closely.


I think the varying accounts one hears from time to time as to the

savage propensities or otherwise of different birds is, in many instances,

accounted for by the small size of the aviary they are kept in. Bi ids

generally are much better tempered when kept under more natural

conditions; and are much less likely to fill up their time by bullyin

other birds when they have sufficient space to fly about and exercise

themselves in. Of course this does not apply' to all birds, and when

you find that many different individuals of any given species are always

dangerous in a large aviary, then I say it is time to discontinue keeping

them in mixed company.


I have always found the English Robin ready to fight all comers on

the slightest provocation ; and when he has had nothing better to do, he has

stood on the food pot or near the water and had a tussle with every bird

that came to eat or drink : this generally ended in the death of some bird.


American Mocking Birds are exactly the same, only with increased

bulk you have increased wickedness and pugnacity.


The English Thrush, when given a large aviary, will very seldom do

more than snap his bill at any other bird. I have had no experience of

him in a small aviary, but should think he would become dangerous.


Blackbirds, I have found, will do no more harm than steal the other

birds’ eggs, which of course, makes them undesirable inmates of any

aviary where you have breeding-birds.


The Pied Wagtail I have already written about, but even he may'

remain sans reproche for months, and then break out all at once into cold

blooded and premeditated murder.


The Greater or Ox-eyed Tit has always been sadly maligned, and I

am only too glad to join Mr. Rothera in helping him to regain his fallen

character: I have always found him harmless.


Shamas and Dials are generally harmless to other birds, but will fight

to the death among themselves; but, as Mr. Phillipps has already told us,

if you have two well-matched male Shamas, it is almost worth while

risking everything to hear them sing against one another: it is simply

sublime.


If you introduce a pair of Virginian Cardinals into an aviary already

containing a pair of Red-crested Cardinals, or vice versa, y^ou will generally

have trouble ; but if the two pairs be introduced simultaneously', they will

settle down amicably.


A cock Virginian will occasionally' murder his spouse, especially if

she happen to be a good singer and rival him.


The Pintail Whydali is an absolute nuisance wherever he is. I have

had many, and there is not a pin(tail) to choose among them.



