Karl Plath—Notes from a Chicago Aviary



37



which are attractive additions to the aviary, and I consider them

desirable birds for any aviary having a small pool. One of them has

a snowy white ruff while in the other it is of an orange tan hue. At

present they are in the plain plumage of winter. They often spar with

one another but seem to be absolutely inoffensive with the other birds.

For many years I have wanted to get a Stilt, and though several were

promised to me, whether from Texas, Florida, or Cuba—even South

America—I was so often disappointed that I gave up the idea of ever

having one. Then I secured a copy of Game-birds and Water-fowl in

Captivity and read there that small waders had been successfully

raised from eggs hatched in captivity. I had heard about this time of

a gentleman living in Utah who could procure for me eggs of the Black¬

necked Stilt. He kindly sent me two sets of four each which I set under

a Japanese Silky Bantam. After twenty-five days one hatched but in

some manner was crushed under the Bantam. None of the others

hatched. A second lot was placed in an incubator and after twenty-five

days one hatched and no more. The young bird was quite active, running

about with many of the characteristics of the adult, but it too only lived

a short time and by then I was pretty much discouraged. But my

friend said that if I wished he could get some half-fledged young if I

wanted them. If 1 wanted them ! Had I known that I could have young

birds I would not have bothered with the eggs. At any rate he sent

me three young Stilts, about four weeks old, and they arrived in fine

condition after a 1,000 mile journey. They were beautiful creatures,

snowy white and sooty black, all of the upper feathers being edged

with bright buff. The legs were pale grey blue. Now they are four

months old and the buff edgings are rapidly disappearing, the legs

are longer and becoming pink, and the eyes, too, are changing to red.

They are dainty birds and I have been so attracted by their elegant

actions and proportions that the other shorter-legged shore birds seem

poorly shaped. They have been, so far, inoffensive, are not dirty,

and, except for some rather shrill “ good-night ” notes, are quiet.

I am very fond of them and hope they will continue to do well. During

the summer a young friend of mine kept me supplied with fresh ant-

pupae and water-insects which were dumped into the shallow pool

and what a time they had catching them. Quite dexterous. They



