Dr. M. Amsler—General Notes on Aviculture



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There is a closely allied species in Spain which anyone at all

interested who has friends in Spain should try to import.


Both Chinese and Spanish species have been bred in the

Zoological Gardens. In 1915 I bought a pair of Occipital Blue

Pies, which nested in a small aviary and reared one youngster from

the first nest; the second brood was going strong when the nest

collapsed, but I was able to rescue two chicks before they died. One

only survived a few hours and the other died in a couple of days.

I fear I am a poor hand at hand-rearing anything but the easiest of

birds. I had hoped that the rearing of the Blue Pie would entitle me

to a medal, but it was discovered that Lord Selford had bred them

the previous year.


The next year Mr. Guy Falkener lent me a pair of Yucatan Jays

which had been deposited at the Zoological Gardens. These birds

nested twice; on the first occasion they reared the young to the age

of 17 days and then I believe ate them. On the second attempt

the young disappeared after about four days. The season being then

over, I had to return the birds, which had by then been presented to

the Zoological Society. I believe they again nested unsuccessfully in

the Gardens the following year.


Last year there was a large importation of Yucatan Jays—

so called—these were really the San Bias Jay. The Yucatan has

yellow legs, whereas the San Bias legs are black ; otherwise there is

very little difference between the two species. I had five birds sent

to me from which I was able to pick a true pair. These two were

very friendly all the summer; the hen always comes down first to

collect such titbits as mealworms, cockroaches, etc., and invariably

gives them to the cock, who eventually returns at least part of the

repast to his mate. I have already pointed out this peculiarity in my

article on the attempted breeding of the Yucatan Jay. I believe that

this transference of food from one bird to another is a favourite trick

with many Jays and may occur between two birds of the same sex.

Only to-day for the first time I noticed the male collecting food and

feeding the female. I trust that this may mean that he intends

business.


The only other pair of Jays I have at the moment is the Azure



