244



Miss E. E. Chawner,



I fear I have very greatly exceeded the limits of space that

ought to be allowed to any one contributor, and yet I feel my ex¬

periments and observations are so interesting, and possibly, being all

conducted at one and the same time and place, of some value to

aviculture. I will summarize the results of my observations. They

are as follows :—


1. Foreign birds if left to their own devices will not use a shelter.


2. If not properly sheltered during the winter losses among birds


are very heavy.


3. If made to use a proper shelter during the night and bad days


one’s losses are greatly lessened.


4. Heat is unnecessary for the majority of foreign birds, but is


undoubtedly an advantage especially in severe weather.


5. The heat if used should be moderate, not allowed to exceed


50° Fahr., and be kept as uniform as possible.


6. Excessive window area leads to excessive loss of heat.


7. Losses can never be entirely eliminated in any bird-family of


any size, notwithstanding any theories of treatment to the


contrary.


8. The average loss among small birds is probably at least 10 per


cent. ; among parrakeets very much less. Under good con¬

ditions of course.


Once more I apologise for taking up so much valuable space,

but, Mr. Editor, it was you who tempted me. At any rate, I shall

expect one cure to my credit.



NESTING OF JARDINE’S PIGMY OWL.


By Miss E. F. Chawner.


Early in the summer of last year, the Editor of the Avicitl-

tural Magazine wrote to me offering for sale a true pair of the

rare South American Jardine’s Pigmy Owl (Glaucidium jardinii).

Needless to say I secured them at once.


These tiny Owls are my especial weakness, and I had never

even seen this species, much less owned a pair. They arrived in

perfect condition, and from that day to this have enjoyed excellent



