THE


Avicultural Magazine


BEING THE JOURNAL OF

THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY

FOR THE STUDY OF

FOREIGN 8i BRITISH BIRDS

IN FREEDOM & CAPTIVITY



Third Series. — Vol. XIII. — No. 10 .—All rights reserved. OCTOBER, 1922.



EVENTS IN MY AVIARIES DURING 1922


By the Duchess of Wellington


Our Editors have asked for an. account of aviary work here, and

I am well pleased to give it, for the fates have been kind and have

granted me several successes this season. My aviaries were altered

and remodelled last autumn by the advice of Mr. Astley, who was

kind enough to give me the benefit of his great experience. The long

passage aviaries are now divided into compartments, each with its

boarded shelter and naturally planted flight, so that there is accommoda¬

tion for more birds with less danger of quarrelling.


They contain the following birds : A pair of Indigo Buntings, now

rearing young in their fourth nest. Poor little birds ! ill-luck has

continually pursued them. At first they were in the big aviary where

they throve and nested, and all went well until the Pekin Robins

sucked their eggs. This happened again and again until I caught up

the Buntings and gave them a home in this small aviary, where they

have things all their own way.


Next door to them is a mixed lot of Lavender Finches, Nonpareil

Buntings, St. Helena Waxbills, Cuban Finches, Cordon Bleus, Blue

Waxbills, and a Long-tailed Grass Finch, all in the pink of condition

and plumage except the Nonpareil, who is moulting heavily. Beyond

them, in a compartment to themselves, are a true pair of American

Robins, also heavily in moult, but fine, vigorous birds, which look like

breeding next year. Beyond, again, is a mixed lot of Zebra Finches,

Weavers, and quarrelsome little Queen Whydahs. The Zebras have

reared several families and are always cheerful, contented, and noisy.


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