Corn's I'ovdcMic. 75 
Correspondence. 
AUSTKALI.W IIIRDS. 
was inttri'sleil in your note on tlic need for inunedialc steps 
10 be taken to procure, by breeding, the supply of Australian birds in our 
aviaries. 
My own opinion i> ihi.s can be only ilone by members co-operatinj; in 
I'le establishment of a well managed breeding centre, conductetl on the same 
lines as a ])oultry farm : that is to sax conducted with the sole object of 
producing- a constant supply of vigorous, healthy and prolific birds, 
The average aviculturist keeps birds for i)leasure only, and wants his 
aviaries filled with the largest possible number that will exist together in 
reasonable health and harmony. This means that he is always just a bit 
too overcrowded to make the best use of his breeding stock — result : 
dwindling numbers and degeneration through badly reared .ind weakly 
youngsters. 
I think, without undue egotism, I can say that during the past few 
vears [ have prevented the extinction of the Stanley Parrakeet in European 
aviaries. At present there are enough Stanley's in (it. Britain, France, 
r.elgium and Holland to perpetuate healthy breeding stock if wisely managed. 
This result has only been arrived at by a good deal of initial expense in 
obtaining unrelated stock and devoting four good-sized aviaries to Stanleys 
only — a thing few people would be jirepared tf) do. .\t present I find it 
rather difficult to dispo.se of the dozen or more youngsters that are reared 
annually, but I feel sure th:it if 1 were to dispose of my stock, in a few 
years' time there would not be a Stanley to be had for love or money, and 
l)eople would be glad to give t.*^ each or more for them ! 
If a scheme of the kind I suggest appears feasible I shall be pleased 
to assist with money and birds. I enclose a list of my present Australian 
stock. 
(The .Marquis of) TA\'ISTOCK. 
[P)Oth a practical and interesting scheme is above outlined, and one 
which, while keei)ing the main object in view, would also be chock-full 
of avicultural interest and experiment. It is, however, a scheme which 
would take considerable organisation and need some form of a syndicate to 
carry out. We hope we shall hear more from members thereupon . 
We would, however, 'ike to point out that those who possess avicul- 
tural establishments are few in number, :md that the majority have only one. 
two, or three aviaries for their entire stock, and often these aviaries are 
quite moderate in size. 
While some larger scheme is being organised the great need is fo"- 
some sim])le arrangement wherebv we can make profitable use of the present 
season, all but upon us? We think on some such lines as under can be 
arranged: Say four aviculturists have each four pairs of diverse species: 
this would mean four pairs of four different species spread over four aviaries: 
if, through the committee to be formed, these four aviculturists arrange .- 
comprehensive exchange of their young stock, ui'related pairs of aviary bred 
Stock, very likely to prove ])rolific. would be distributed and should throw 
