Notes on 1913.



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NOTES ON 1913.


By Miss R. Alderson.


It seems rather late to write notes on last year, but with the

task of arranging the birds for the season of 1914, one’s thoughts

fly backwards to the past summer, and how certain birds failed and

others were a success, and what mistakes are to be avoided in

arranging the birds afresh.


For when a separate aviary cannot be given to each pair of

birds so much depends on whether the inmates will live happily

together. If they will there is some hope of a smooth nesting

season, but where they disagree it is impossible for the young birds

to have the care and attention they need if they are to thrive. I

have even known one instance of doves molesting the young one of

another pair with whom they had disagreed ; the poor little thing

was defenceless, and when found was so injured that it died.


So it is as well, when arranging for a coming season, to think

over the past one with a view to making any changes needed, but if

you have found several pairs of doves that will be friendly together

it is far wiser to let them alone, and to neither increase nor decrease

their number. No set rule may be given about any one variety of

dove ; it is more the individual character of the bird that determines

the question. I cannot claim to keep- regular notes on my birds,

though I feel that it is what everyone who keep any ought to do.

Such notes as the date the bird was acquired, its price, late owner,

and all nesting 'notes especially, would make an interesting after¬

record, not only to the owner of the bird, but to others also.


My largest aviary has seven divisions. Five of these are

practically the same size—7ft. by 16ft.—and are divided into shelter

and flight. The doors of the shelter always stand open, and a

passage running at the back of the aviary is heated by a coke and

gas stove. I will take the compartments as they come.


No. 1 Division : — 1 pair of Diamond Doves ; 1 pair of Brush

Bronze-wing Doves ; 1 pair of Violet (or White-fronted) Doves.


In 1912 I tried keeping two pairs of Diamond Doves together

in this house, but it did not answer. Both pair of birds wanted the



