210



N. Nicholson—Trials of an Aviculturist



I decided to turn them out of doors and allotted a spacious, well-

sheltered aviary to them. Several nesting receptacles were hung up

around the interior, and it was most amusing to watch them surveying

the different nesting sites offered. First one receptacle was over¬

hauled, each bird holding a kind of conversation as to whether it was

suitable or not, and then another. This consultation was carried on

for about an hour and finally a box, similar to a Budgerigar nesting

box, was chosen.


Nest-building soon commenced, and within a few hours of being

turned out into the aviary quite a lot of hay and raffia had been placed

in the box. The cock took no part in the building of the nest but sat

on a bough serenading his wife with his song and continuously flapping

his wings.


In due course the nest was completed and pairing took place.

Pairing was a noisy affair, the cock, before and after, singing and

flapping his wings.


Being anxious to rear at least one pair and knowing the eccentricity

of this species in captivity I decided, when the eggs arrived, to take

the advice of one of our well-respected members, who has had con¬

siderable experience in breeding bluebirds, to place them in the nest

of a wild Robin and hand-rear at twelve days old.


Here was a problem—to find such a nest, being rather early for

Robins nesting in this particular part. By mere chance I met a friend

who lives in the same vicinity and he casually remarked that he had

a Robin’s nest in a shed in his garden. Arrangements were quickly

made and the eggs transferred. The wild Robin’s eggs were placed

under the Bluebird, as I was determined to give her a chance of rearing

young. In fact I felt rather guilty in changing the eggs but consoled

myself with the knowledge that if the young were reared by

her she would certainly be entrusted with her own offspring in

the future.


All went well and after fourteen days’ incubation the Bluebird

and Robin hatched young. Previous to the young arriving I had

made provision for a good stock of gentles, and placed an order for

a supply to be brought every three days. I had a good stock of blue¬

bottles also. The first day passed over and things were progressing



