on the Breeding of a Hybrid Lorikeet , etc. 193


somewhat seriously from the result of such a wound. The birds,

however, soon learnt to feed themselves and became very tame,

running after me when I appeared with food, or jumping into

their trough and swimming about with extraordinary dexterity

and grace in anticipation of a scramble for the fish about to be

thrown into the water. They never would feed themselves upon

anything but whole fish, and herrings were the only things

acceptable to them in size which I could get in any quantity.

So long as the fresh herring supply lasted — for the best part of a

year — all went well, but there came a time when no more could

be obtained. Recourse had to be made once again to broken fish

and forced feeding, and sickness and death soon followed, ap¬

parently as the result of some digestive trouble. To those who

can ensure a constant supply of the proper food no more delight¬

ful and amusing creatures can be recommended than Penguins.


There is in my garden a piece of open water enclosing a

well-wooded island, and here live a number of Ducks, Swans,

Flamingoes and Gulls. Two years ago my Herring Gulls made

a nest on the ground during my absence from home, and my

gardener, in an excess of zeal, removed the two eggs in order to

preserve them for my collection. Last season, another nest with

three eggs was discovered, and all went well until a rat or weasel

put an end to my hopes. There seems to be no great difficulty in

breeding gulls. A sufficient number of individuals to insure the

presence of one or more pairs, plenty of room and absence of

vermin seem to be the essential requirements for success.


Regarding Flamingoes I can only confirm the observations

of others. It is surprising that such ornamental and haidy

creatures are not more frequently seen. Given shallow water

and the soft muddy bottom essential to the welfare of their feet

they are as easy to keep as Swans. Mine thrive w'ell on maize

alone and feed principally after sundown, when they may be

heard grunting and quarrelling over their trough of food. In

hard frosts care has to betaken lest their slender legs are injured

by ice, and on such occasions Swans are invaluable ice-breakers,

and generally maintain a piece of open water where all may

huddle together.


Peacocks out of plumage are not renowned for courage,



