230



Correspondence.



THE BREEDING OF KNOTS.


Sir, — I n reply to Mr. C. Bamby Smith’s inquiries in last month’s

Avicultural Magazine with regard to the nesting of the Knot, I gladly give

all the information at mv disposal in the hope that it may be the means of

someone being successful with them, but I fear that some, perhaps the most

essential points have escaped my memory, being such a long time ago since

w'e tried to get them to nest. I believe that it is well known bv a good many

how we treated them in the first place. Several pair were kept indoors

during the winter in a regular heat, I think it was 55 degrees; when the

warm weather came they were let out into a large aviary, 56 feet long, 46 feet

wide and 9 feet high, with a good deal of long grass, several Evergreen

bushes, a gravel path 4 feet wide all round and a stream of water in the

centre. The birds did very well during their confinement indoors, and

when let out, every one was in the best of health and in full breeding dress.

We fed them on minced fish, sheep’s heart, soaked bread, Spratt’s meal,

soaked or scalded lettuce, or any other tender greens, chopped finely and

all mixed together.


I believe that the cause of our failure in not getting them to nest

was that we neglected giving them some rough surroundings in the way of

boulders and retired corners here and there in the outer aviaty. Long grass

did not appeal to them as suitable nesting quarters, but on the other hand it

was very necessary for the birds ; they found it a happy hunting ground for

various insects of which they were expert catchers. In the early mornings

and late evenings the birds were always very restless flying round and round

the full extent of the aviary all the time calling loudly to each other; this

would go on for an hour or more at times. As autumn and spring came, they

were much more restless, beginning in the afternoons to utter their plantive

call and keep on the wing, more or less, until dark. During daylight I

never saw one hurt itself in any way, they would carefully avoid all obstacles

in the way, such as uprights or perches ; but at nights they were not so

fortunate, I have often picked one up in the morning with its head broken

through coming in contact with something during the night; they' long for

migration more than any bird I ever had charge of. The amount of exer¬

cise thev take keeps them in good health, doubtless this accounts for their

long life in confinement, to keep their flight feathers cut, or pinion them

would, I think, be a mistake. Apart from those which were killed at night,

all the remainder of the flock died of old age, and I think it is curious that

as they' dropped off one by' one they were in full breeding plumage, and over

fat, the latter I attribute to want of exercise: I noticed particularly' that as

old age came along the birds did not crave for liberty and got lazy, hence

over-feeding and finally' heart disease and other maladies.



R. COSGRAVK.



