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John Wilcock—Some Aims and Ideals in Aviculture



small mound of sand. Before it was finished, unfortunately, the

weather changed and the water rose considerably and those two things

apparently so discouraged the birds that they gave up the attempt and

they have never repeated it. When the birds are courting each other

they erect the beautifully coloured and lengthened feathers of the

upper side.


In this country I have to take the birds in the bird-house during

the winter as extreme cold gives them leg-sores.


The males are larger than the females.



SOME AIMS AND IDEALS IN AVICULTURE


By John Wilcock, B.A., M.B.O.U.


It is not imagined that any new views or theories are to be put

forward in what I should like to say ; rather is the intention to

emphasize a few general facts and principles realized by most of us,

but sometimes overlooked to the detriment of the ends we have in

view. In doing this I may imply, in all humility, one or two faults

which I think are sometimes prevalent amongst some of us.


Perhaps it would be best at the outset to focus attention on what

our aims really are. If “ aviculture ” means anything it is the

attempt to produce and maintain in captivity various species of birds.

I would emphasize as strongly as possible the word “ maintain ”, for

nothing less than this, seriously and persistently pursued, justifies

in dealers’ premises cages of Gouldians and other Grassfinches, the

Lovebirds we saw before the parrot ban, and many other species.

I would emphasize the word because there is no doubt about it that

aviculturists are a fickle lot. A breeding success achieved once or

twice, and we turn to “ fresh fields and pastures new ” ; at least,

too many of us do. The reason for this fickleness is not far to seek;

we have such a diversity of species at our call that it requires a strong

will at times not to acquire something we cannot accommodate without

sacrificing that which we have already successfully bred. But unless

a sufficient number of us find our recompense in breeding for generation

after generation chiefly the same species of birds, striving against any



