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P. W. Teague—Gouldian Finches



in putting the birds to unnecessary discomfort under the illusion

that they are being made hardy, although they can stand plenty

of dry cold when shut in their shelters, but not the conditions some

people provide for them. I have seen aviaries with no other cover

than the shelter shed—the owners forgetting the fact that birds are

not quite blessed with the same sense as themselves—and then they

wonder why they die !


The ground in this district is heavy wet clay and very exposed,

so I have entirely boarded the floors of my four small aviaries. This

I find a great improvement in every way. My birds get no artificial

heat or light during the winter, except after a very dark winter day

I occasionally provide a lantern for them to have a late evening feed,

yet I think a little heat would be beneficial in the winter. My aviaries

are free from draughts, wet, and cold winds, and in this way I have kept

between twenty and thirty Gouldians in perfect health and condition

the last two winters. If you do see a bird looking out-of-tone or unhappy

catch it up and bring indoors. You may have to do this as their

moulting period varies, some commencing in October and November—

but most of them moult in February, March, and April.


Keep your cages, aviaries, and all utensils thoroughly clean.


Perhaps some of you will wonder what my losses are or have been.

Well, I am not afraid to tell you because I keep careful notes. Total

number of deaths : five in the last four years, made up as follows : Two

hens, egg-binding trouble, one of which I killed through over-anxiety ;

one from jaundice and biliary fever—directly traceable to the C.L.O.

experiment; two from enteritis (intestinal inflamation), newly acquired

pair. That reminds me to recommend all who wish to start Gouldians

to purchase acclimatized birds or British aviary bred specimens if

possible. They may cost more, but it is worth it.


I find many have failed to rear young Gouldians to maturity

because they have been fed almost entirely on dry millet spray and

seed, with the result that they lack stamina.


Many of you no doubt hatch and rear them without this little

extra trouble, stick to your own method if successful; but to those

who have not been so fortunate, try the above method, for it has proved

successful to other Gouldian enthusiasts who had previously failed.



