XIV. How to Breed Birds.



179



in thickets, several small thickets suspended if possible from the

roof will be found more acceptable than one large one. I11 any

case, far more nesting-sites should be provided than the number

of pairs, and, further, the birds should be carefully watched so

that if they appear to have decided on a spot unsuitable or un¬

provided with the necessary accommodation a nesting-site may

then be fixed up in that spot. With those species that build open

nests in bushes, several flat platforms of natural twigs may be

fastened here and there, which may be used as a foundation..

Nesting material of all kinds should be abundantly supplied, as

well as plenty of that most artificial of substances cotton wool,

for many species are very fond of this as it forms such excellent

binding material and is at the same time soft and warm.


I cannot, in this very general article, enter on the question

of food. The staple diet should of course be that which they

have been having in order to bring them into * condition,’ but

the nesting of backward or shy breeders may sometimes be

brought about by giving them, in addition to this, the extra food

which they will eventually require to rear the young; this need

not of course be continued after they have commenced incuba¬

tion, but in some cases it does undoubtedly induce them to make

a start.


This, then, completes the rough summary of essentials

mostly consisting of small details which, undoubtedly, go a long

way towards bringing about success.


There is, however, one more point which may be men¬

tioned, and that is the conduct of the avicul turist himself towards

his charges. In breeding rare species, our object as aviculturists

should be to add something to the general knowledge of the

inner life history and habits of our pets. Many, and perhaps most,

bird-keepers are so anxious to rear the young that they make

few or no notes about them, and are content if at the end ot the

season they have doubled or trebled the number of any particular

species, a result which might often be more easily obtained at

less expense and trouble by a letter to some bird-dealer. Yet

opportunities of studying duration of incubation, down plumage,

methods of feeding have been allowed to slip by unnoticed.

Personally, I have found that birds will not resent an inspec-



