Correspondence, Notes, etc.



209



The cage, in which they live, when I am not at East Hoathly,

where my aviary is, measures 2ft. by i6ins. by 2iins. at the apex, is of the

waggon pattern and placed in a sitting-room.


The aviary, facing north and south, is 15ft. long and 6ft. wide. The

north end is roofed with boards and iron, the three sides are boarded in;

the south side is open and has 4111s. of sand on the bottom. The open part

of the aviary is wired round and boarded to I4ins. from the bottom, and is

planted out with a few sapling trees. Several dead branches are fixed in

the ground for perches. There is grass, bramble, sedge, and a pond with

flags and reeds growing in it. The height is 6ft., but above the pond the

sides rise to 8ft.


During cage-life one pair, or a single bird, will live in good condition

if it is let out for a fly round the room now and again.


If two pairs are put into one cage the cocks will fight to the death.

On the last occasion, when I had taken away the beaten cock, which soon

died, the two hens started fighting quite as fiercely as the cocks had done,

until I separated them.


Herbert L. SrcH.



MONAD PHEASANTS.


Sir,—I should be much obliged if you could give me any information

respecting Monal Pheasants. Do you think they would do well here in

Nottinghamshire in a run open to the South and South-East,and protected

by shrubs 011 all other sides? Do they require any special treatment, or

would that required by a Golden Pheasant suffice ? Could you also give

me an idea of the price of a pair and where I could obtain them ?


Norman B. Roberts.


The following reply has been sent to Mr. Roberts:


The accommodation you describe would suit Monal Pheasants well,

but they would require rather different treatment from the Golden species.

They are great diggers, and soon destroy turf and make their run very

untidy; thus it is necessary to take particular care that it is well-drained,

or it will get sloppy. They also require a constant supply of raw vegetable

food, apples, onions, and potatoes, cut up in pieces, and it is advisable to

give them insects or chopped cooked meat frequently also.


Of course these things are good for other Pheasants too ; but Monals

eat little grain when wild, feeding on grubs and roots, and thus especially

need them. Wheat seems to be the favourite grain with captive birds. I11

rearing the young, if you get any, pay particular attention to a supply of

insect food. See that they can get shelter from hot sun.


These birds are dear to buy —fxo a pair more or less—but none are

better worth the money. Mr. Jamracli or Messrs. Bailey, or Mr Castang

may have some. Frank Finn.



