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A few Notes on Wading Birds.



is not deep enough for swimming birds, besides it dries up in

summer, so Water Rails are barred.


The aviary is 48ft. x 29ft., with a pond three or four inches

deep in the middle of the aviary, which stands on stiff clay, not the

best soil for the birds.


The following is a list of the species that I have tried to keep.

CURLEWS. They did very well and kept down the mice and also

the nestlings of a few small Finches as well.


OYSTER Catchers did not thrive very well, not getting enough

nourishment.


Green Plover were quite a failure and only lived about seven

months, though one, which was given to me after some brute

had chopped off half its wing, which never healed, lived for

quite a long time.


The Knots always get very fat, and some are now coming into

colour.


The Dunlins are also doing the same, but not getting too fat.


The Ruffs come into colour and moult at the proper time, so I

consider that they are thriving properly. The Reeves are

difficult to get, there are now six Ruffs to one Reeve.

Black-tailed Godwits. Two, which I bought just a year ago,

have very much improved since last year, though their feet

are not right yet ; three others which I had died soon after

they arrived.


Two Golden Plovers never got over the dirty state in which

they arrived and soon died.


A Little Stint lived for a few months, but did not get the right

food.


Two Ringed PLOVERS were doing very well when some rats got in

and destroyed nearly all my Waders, but did not eat any of

them.


I have one REDSHANK at present, but its legs are yellow not red.


There is a fish food which I have used for some time, it

seems to be a help to these birds and makes the food more tasty.

I am sending a packet to our Editor for his opinion on the matter. ''



[It would seem to be a decidedly useful food.—ED.]



