John Wilcock—Some Aims and Ideals in Aviculture



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egg-binding. But I cannot do anything with Gouldians. I have

had the same birds three years, and perhaps am unfortunate in my

particular specimens. The nearest I have been has been young dying

at fifteen days old, and the hen on the next attempt died of egg¬

binding. Bichenoes have nested more than once, but have been

disturbed by the Longtails, but I am glad to say I still get as much

pleasure as ever when I have got out a good nest of Longtailed Grass-

finches as I did in the days when they were new to me seven years ago.

Just the old perenniels which have been discarded by the “ advanced ”

ones long ago ! I have not yet had an opportunity of trying Buficaudas

and Parrot Finches. But this brings me to the next point I would

like to make.


I believe that the amount of satisfaction which can be got from the

inmates of an aviary is almost in inverse ratio to their numbers. Of

course I mean within limits, and am referring to success in breeding,

which is the ultimate aim of our hobby. The “ mixed collection ”

isn’t aviculture of course ; it is bird-fancying, and can be quite enter¬

taining if carefully assorted. Everyone will readily agree that the

Grassfinches, Waxbills, and other smaller finch-like birds, the smaller

buntings, etc., cannot be systematically propagated by having what

appears to be an aviary full of birds. Even those birds which nest in

colonies in nature do not seem to get on together in an aviary. But

I do think that, although the above fact is readily conceded, the ideas

of many people still cause them to err on the side of overstocking and

they would consider their aviary empty if it only contained what at

least I consider the proper number.


Apart from the psychological effect on the birds of having to chose

nesting sites in close proximity to a neighbour’s, even if they could

live together in perfect amity, they could not be kept under reasonably

hygienic conditions in the breeding season if many birds are installed.

Unless the numbers are very few the aviary wants thoroughly cleansing

very often and regularly—perches, ledges (if any), and windows as

well as floors. This cannot be done without disturbing birds which

are incubating, and therefore must be missed or scamped, with a

consequent increased incidence of disease and mortality or breeding

results jeopardized. We doubtless all feel the temptation to put in



