344



Correspondence.


THE SOCIETY’S MEDAL



A Medal is due to Dr. Maurice Amsler for breeding the Great

Titmouse in his aviaries, unless a previous instance is known to any

aviculturist. For detailed description we would refer members to

the last number of Bird Notes. It is hardly necessary to repeat

Dr. Amsler’s paper on the subject, as several of our members also

subscribe to Bird Notes. —Ed.



OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1913-1914.


In accordance with Rule 9, the Council recommends the

election of the Marquis of Tavistock and Miss Alderson as members

of Council in place of Mr. E. J. Brook resigned and Mr. A. Trevor-

Battye retired by seniority, and the appointment of Mr. A. Trevor-

Battye as Auditor and of Mr. E. J. Brook as Scrutineer.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, &c.


NOTES ON MY BIRDS AND AVIARY.


SIR,—I have an aviary in the north-east corner of an old walled garden,

and in this aviary, which measures 13 yds. by 4 yds. and is 9ft. high, I have

almost 180 birds. These are Green and Red Cardinals, Diamond Pinches, Cut¬

throats, Green Singing Finches, Pekin Robins, Saffron Finches, Zebra Doves,

Siskins, Cordon Bleus, Lavender Finches, Redpolls, Bullfinches, Gouldian

Finches, St. Helena and Orange-cheeked Waxbills, Amaduvades, Orange-breasted.

Waxbills, Silver-bills, Black-headed Buntings, Scarlet Weavers, Long-tailed

Whydah, Love-birds, Goldfinch, Bronze-winged and White-headed Mannikins,

Bramblings, Napoleon Weavers, Steel Finches and Sharp-tailed Finches.


There are many artificial nests hung about for the birds, but the only

enclosed place for them is a small glass-fronted house, measuring 3ft. by ljft.

and 4ft high, the door of which is closed during the winter months, and to which

access is gained by a few small holes in the sides. All these birds have survived

the cold weather, sometimes 18° of frost, i.e. 14o Fahr.


I seem to lose fewer than many of my friends, and I attribute this to the

exercise the birds have. They are always moving about and have a frequent

supply of fresh water, grasses, fruit and blossoms, and, now and again, a few

mealworms.


My experience is that those birds which adopt a complete change of

costume are always the most combative, and I have therefore shut off the

Weavers, etc. All the other birds live harmoniously together and many breed.



