94



P. W. Teague—Gouldian Finches



are placed for soaking in a perforated zinc strainer—similar to a coffee¬

pot strainer (this shape °) and then stood in a jar or tin of cold

water. The idea of these strainers is to facilitate easy cleaning of the

seeds and changing of the water. These soaking seeds give off an

offensive smell unless the water is changed at least once a day. This

is only a moments job holding the strainer under the tap. I have

five of these strainers, four of which are always in use and these are

all numbered so that I know which one to use, should they get mixed.

For instance if you are using No. 1 to-day, fill up the empty No. 5,

then when the next one is used, refill No. 1 and so on. It will be noticed

these seeds are soaking four or five days—sometimes longer except

in summer as the seeds germinate quicker. Before use, thoroughly

wash seed in the strainer under the tap, and if seed not much sprouted,

dip into hot water for a moment or two to ensure thorough cleanliness

and quick drying. Now stand strainer of seeds on a damp cloth to draw

all surplus water off, this is quicker and far more convenient than

trying to dry the seed between a cloth. The seeds are then placed in

a basin to which I add a teaspoonful of good honey—or fine castor sugar,

honey for preference—thoroughly mix, then add a tablespoonful of small

seeds, again mix and allow to stand as long as convenient to soak up the

honey. Allow about half a teaspoonful per bird daily, when feeding

young replenish whenever necessary. This is my stock mixture of small

seeds: Equal parts of grass, dandelion, and niger seeds, half parts

of white lettuce and maw seeds, and a bit of gold of pleasure seed—

or a bit of thistle seed; but I don’t use the latter now as I have

a garden ! I also offer this small seed mixture occasionally dry and they

enjoy it. This mixture is the outcome of close observation of what they

like, some favouring one seed and some another. I cannot give you

any whys and wherefores for the above mixtures or methods. They are

entirely my own and the fact remains that their efficacy has been proved

by practical results both for rearing young G-ouldians and keeping

them in good health and condition. The above may appear to be a lot

of trouble, but you will find it is really quite easy and the birds enjoy

the changes, and who of you would not go to this little extra trouble

to keep one of the loveliest birds living in good health and condition ?

When feeding the soaked seed mixture only put small quantities at



