Alfred Ezra—Rearing the Water Thick-knee



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going my rounds on a Sunday afternoon, I found the door to the

enclosure wide open and the Lapwings running on the gravel path

outside. These were full-winged, and I feared they would fly away but,

by carefully walking behind them, three of them were easily driven

back into their home. The fourth one, however, flew over the garden

gate into the wood which was close by. On going into the aviary

to inspect, I found that neither the Pastors nor any of the other inmates

had ventured forth. How the door came to be open was a mystery.

Nothing more was seen of the Lapwing until three days later when

it appeared close to the duck pond, and seemed to be quite at home

feeding with the waterfowl. After a long and trying time I was able

to catch it, none the worse for its adventures.


About sixteen days later a young Pastor left the nest, quite strong

and a good flyer, but this was the only one reared, the other eggs failing

to hatch. They were of a pale blue in colour. The young one closely

resembled a young common Starling, and caused much comment when

people visited the aviaries and were told what it was. In fact, one

well-known aviculturist asked why we were keeping a common Starling,

and seemed rather surprised when told what it was. The young bird

was a long time coming into full colour, and never attained the beautiful

rose-tinted breast of its male parent although I am sure it was a cock.

These birds are rather interesting, and I think ought to be more freely

kept, as they are quite easy to cater for, and are long-lived and hardy.

The display and song of the male is quite interesting.



REARING THE WATER THICK-KNEE


{Burkinas vermiculatus)


By Alfred Ezra


This interesting bird is widely distributed in the Ethiopian region,

but is somewhat rare, and in many localities never seen. It is always

found close to water, and the present pair was found by Mr. Webb,

on a small island in the Reime River in Portuguese East Africa.

They are partly nocturnal, and this pair of birds were sheltering in the

reeds during the intense heat of the day. When disturbed they perfer



