46



Correspondence



Hawk Vultures ( Ibycter australis) which are very daring ” (italics

mine). This again agrees with the observations in Zoological Gardens.


F. D. Welch.


[It would take many generations of life hr captivity to change the

nature of a species to any extent. The Milvagoes are amongst the

boldest and most aggressive of birds. —Eds.]



SUGGESTIONS ON BREEDING SHRIKES


Sirs, —In the Avicultural Magazine, 1921, it is stated on p. 168 that,

among the species which migrate to Britain, the only one which has

bred in captivity is the Red-backed Shrike ( Lavius collurio) ; and in

this connexion it may be worth mentioning a scene with two wild

birds.


When in Herts in 1892, I found a nest and although there were no

eggs then in it and no birds were visible at the time, it was evidently

a. Shrike’s, because of the numbers of insects stuck on to thorns of the

hedge for several feet on both sides of the nest (which was a very ragged,

untidy structure of coarse grass, twigs, a few rags interwoven in these

swaying in the breeze !). On the next visit one of the birds saw me

handle the two eggs then in the nest and made a flying attack at me,

shrieking wildly and excitedly, although I had replaced the eggs,

and made such a noise that its mate soon arrived on the scene and

joined in the attack.


Judging from this experience, it would seem absolutely necessary

that Shrikes should be in an aviary away from any source of irritation

from outside such as noisy children, barking dogs, squalling cats,

and suchlike if it is hoped to get them to breed successfully in captivity

and ought also to have an aviary to themselves, and without any birds

near which are liable to quarrel.


Also the experience with wild Shrikes suggests that any attempt “ to

have a peep ” into the nest “ to see what nest and eggs were like ” would

have equally bad results as in the first nest made by the Saltator

Tanagers which deserted ( Avicultural Magazine, 1921, p. 161).


Frederick D. Welch.



