P. W. Teague—Gouldian Finches



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all husks to fall into the box and not be scattered all over the aviary,

and it will catch any seed split. This is a useful suggestion for all

aviculturists who like to keep their aviaries clean and tidy. Care

should be taken to have a small shallow receptacle under the neck

of the bottle hopper, then the bird will crack the seed over the side

thus keeping the seed receptacles more or less free of husks. If these

bottle hoppers are properly arranged you need have no fear of their

failing to work so long as they are kept in the aviary out of the rain.

By giving the seeds separately, you cater for the individual tastes,

and economy in seed. In addition to the above-mentioned seeds,

I also have one containing Niger seed—here again some are quite fond

of this and others only eat it occasionally. The use of this seed has been

strongly condemned as too fattening for a somewhat sluggish bird

like the Gouldian, but mine have it winter and summer. I shall be glad

to know how to make a Gouldian over-fat, for I have not yet discovered

the secret, as it is a dainty feeder and it will rarely eat the things we

consider good for it. Spray millet appears to be almost essential to these

birds, but I had one exception and this bird did not touch it until

it was over 12 months old. It is now making up for lost time. I soak

all millet sprays in cold water for three or four days, changing the water

daily, but don’t give it wet in severe frosty weather. Before using,

dip the spray in hot water for a moment or two, but if the spray

has commenced to sprout, only thoroughly wash it in warm water

so that you do not injure the tender sprouts. I also give my birds

daily—if it is eaten up—soaked seeds. No doubt with these soaked

seeds I have unconsciously produced certain foods now known

as Vitamins. It was the daily use of these soaked seeds that brought

me many successes in rearing birds whilst I was abroad, because where

I lived any foods out of the ordinary were unobtainable. I believe

these soaked seeds play an important part in my success with Gouldians

in England, combined with the frequent use of Virol water, or it may

be due to a combination of feeding and management. I soak seed

in the proportion of three tablespoonfuls of canary to one of white

millet—sometimes plain canary seed only. White millet takes a very

long time to soak and germinate therefore it is an advantage to soak

this seed separately if possible giving it a longer soak. These seeds



