A. Sherriff — Black-headed Sibias at Liberty



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quite healthy and are now being given a delicacy of which they and lots

of other insectivorous birds thoroughly approve, viz. warm condensed

milk and honey. I propose to allow them their liberty throughout

the winter. Since the last young were caught up they have kept

continually in the aviary. Last year they wintered without artificial

heat in an aviary that had a closed shelter to it. They were not alone,

for two young were reared in 1930 and one bird was purchased. They

are unquestionably hardy and according to Whistler’s handbook of

Birds of India keep quite close to the snow line.


Of all the insectivorous birds that I have ever kept I have found

Black-headed Sibias the most interesting and entertaining. In no way

timid, quick as lightning and always on the look out for mealworms.

In fact, when feeding the young it was difficult to walk down the garden

without one of the birds flying within an inch of one’s nose and plainly

saying “ I want mealworms ”. At odd moments the cock would play

games with his children through the wire. They are very affectionate

towards one another as a rule, but in one case I have had to separate

by hand the present cock from one of his sons, otherwise death would

have resulted to one or the other. The last two young delighted,

however, in chasing Sparrows, and on one occasion I was astonished

and worried to see three young Sibias on a tree in the Finchley Road,

but they were back for lunch. *


There are now twelve Sibias in the aviary. For the purpose of

getting new blood I am anxious to exchange one or two, and, should

anyone wish to try to breed these birds, will be only too pleased to lend

one or two of this year’s young. Once accustomed to an aviary they

can safely be allowed their freedom.


This year the hen has laid fifteen eggs and reared seven

young. The cock has been in the aviary for eight years and the

hen for six.


[Writing on 23rd December, Mr. Sherriff says “ The parent birds

are still at liberty and up to recently have slept in the garden, but since

the present advent of cold weather have spent the night in the shelter.

The young birds have, up to now, slept out in the aviary flight.”— Ed.]



