78 G. H. Gurney—Breeding Notes from the Keswick Aviaries for 1933


considered a suitable aviary, they never made any attempt to breed.

Last spring, for the sake of convenience, they were moved into another

aviary, where there were a number of birds. However, they paid no

attention to these, and at once took possession of a Parrakeets 5 nesting

box fixed high up in the aviary shelter. I am not sure of the exact

date, as it was impossible to inspect the log without great disturbance,

but I believe the first egg was laid on 30th May. Only two eggs were

laid, and only one hatched, and a fine young bird appeared outside on

24th June. The amount of mealworms and fresh ants’ eggs this

youngster consumed was simply incredible ; it seemed impossible to

satisfy it, and the parents from having been very shy became quite

the reverse, and if any one passed the outside of the flight would

immediately fly to the front and cling to the wire-netting, clamouring

for more, and yet more, mealworms for their insatiable baby. This

young Pastor, from six weeks old to three months, was indistinguishable

from an immature Common Starling, Sturnus vulgaris , and, as the two

species mix together on the Continent, it must very often pass quite

unnoticed. Several very eminent ornithologists who visited the

aviaries during the summer—men who would not hesitate to name

correctly the most difficult Cisticola at sight—were completely non¬

plussed by the young Pastor, and one well-known aviculturist spotted

it from an adjoining aviary and remarked, “ Oh, what have you got

there ? ” It was not till November that any trace of black appeared ;

now it is rapidly assuming adult plumage. This species has never

before been bred in England, though I believe there is a Continental

record for it.


Green Cardinal, Guhernatrix cristatella. A pair made a nest in a

box-bush. The first egg being laid on 30th April. Three eggs were

laid, two hatching. Both young were reared until fully feathered,

and then for some inexplicable reason died.


Bed-headed Cardinal, Paroraria larvata. This species nested, and

two eggs were laid on 7th and 9th July respectively. Both were

hatched, but the young were thrown out of the nest by the old birds.

One was subsequently fully reared by hand.


Bed-rump Parrakeet, Psephotus hcematonotus. Three eggs laid

on 6th May, two hatched and were fully reared.



