Aviary Notes in 1914.



85



the top of the Hampshire Downs and we are subject to furious gales

and a good deal of cloud and mist, especially in winter. One would

think it a trying climate for foreign birds, but on the whole breeding

results have been good.


A pair of Long-tailed Grassfinches purchased in the summer of

1913 have fully reared seventeen young ones in a year, in four

broods.


Gouldian Finches, a Red-faced cock and a Black-faced hen,


have also done well. Turned out in the summer of 1913, they


*


remained in the aviary until the middle of last January. They were

then brought into the house and spent the next four months in

a large cage in a sitting room. There they moulted, and when

turned out in May were in perfect plumage. They went to nest almost

at once and reared six fine young birds ; this was followed by a

second brood of five, and later by a third brood of two — all being

reared. The cock bird is a model father and took entire charge of

the young ones when they left the nest.


While the young Goulds are in the nest, the parents consume

quantities of seeding grass. The Long-tails, on the other hand,

seem to rear their chicks entirely on dry seed.


My Brush Bronzewing Pigeons have brought up three young

ones. The hen is apt to drop her eggs from a perch or on the ground

and quite a number have been thus spoilt.


Diamond Doves have had continual nests but bad luck has

pursued them. They were harried by the cock Bronzewing, and

when at length a line pair of young ones left the nest, these were

killed by that spiteful bird. Since they were removed to an

adjoining compartment, they have reared one bird, and now have

two more in the nest.


Senegal Doves. This pair of birds is very timid and they

desert nest after nest. They reared one young one until it could fly

and then left it to starve.


The only other pair of birds consists of two Green Singing

Finches. They made no attempt at nesting.



[±You. 1914.]



