170



Correspondence



Mr. Gerard Gurney joined the Avicultural Society in 1918 and since

then has published many valuable papers in our journal. He possessed

magnificent aviaries at Keswick and a splendid collection of rare birds,

and, although always delicate, his untimely death at the age of 54, has

come as a great shock to all who knew him.


Our members will wish to tender their sincerest sympathy to his

mother in the loss of her only son.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.


MY AVIARIES


Standing high above Mylor Creek and on sloping ground, the aviaries

are three in number. I enclose photographs of two ; the third one above

Block “ B ” is impossible to photograph owing to a good-sized fruit garden

on one side, a hedge of yew-trees, and only a path and rockery dividing it

from Block “ B ”.


Block “ A ” has six separate divisions, which are at present occupied by

(1) pair of Japanese Tits, (2) Shamas, (3) odd birds, (4) Yellow-winged Sugar-

birds, (5) Peking Robins, (6) Superb Tanagers. The divisions vary from

10 to 12 feet in length and 7 to 10 feet high. All divisions are 6 feet wide, and

all shelters fitted with either Vita glass or Windolite, and each block is

surrounded with 18 in. and 36 in. galvanized iron sheets, leaving not even

a |--in. strip of wood uncovered for mice to scale—mice having been a source

of trouble to me last year ; the wire-netting is doubled at the back of the

galvanized iron sheets and buried a good 18 inches into the ground.


Block “ B ” is 18 feet square and divided into three divisions from 8 to

10 feet in height, the difference being due to the slope of the ground. In it

are housed various Waxbills, Grassfinches, and Munias, also some great

favourites of mine, viz. New Zealand Zoster ops and Rainbow Buntings ; the

wire of this block is of f in. mesh and a strong gauge, newly wired during the

winter, and there is also a safety door.


Block “ C ” (of which I cannot do a photograph) houses in two divisions

a few pairs of Budgerigars, and in a large flight shaped like a letter L

(20 and 18 feet and 8 to 10 feet high with shelters at each end) are more

very great favourites of mine, and mostly old age pensioners, Whydahs

and Weavers mostly ten years old, or, rather, “ in my service,” a beautiful

Scarlet Tanager eight years, and a Persian Bulbul, and an odd hen Peking

Robin. A pair of Paradise Whydahs has just had to be replaced.


K. Drake.



SUCCESS WITH GOULDIAN FINCHES


Although not being entirely a novice to Gouldian breeding, perhaps it

might be of interest to members to hear that we have had what I rather

think to be exceptional results from one pair of Gouldians this season.



