Mrs. K. Drake—Some Breeding Results at Mylor , Cornwall 259


The young bird is strong on the wing and very sturdy. My thanks

are due to Mr. Thomasset for his kind letters of help.


I have had the mother Shama a year, and her mate only arrived

the middle of June, when I put him straight into the aviary on his

arrival. There was only a “ scrap ” at mealworm time, but he was

always a little gentleman and gave way most politely to her. Nest¬

building began on the third day of their acquaintance. I left the main

door and a trap-door open all day till 9 p.m., then only closed the main

door as the temptation to vermin, etc., would be too great.


The Pekin Robins laid three eggs, and hatched and reared all.

I had no idea such tame birds could turn so vicious when the young

were out of the nest. Every day there was the same trouble, they

would fly at me on entering, and oh, the screaming and chattering !

All I could do was to stand perfectly still till their wild tantrums were

over. Of course, I always pretended never to see the young birds.

Sometimes they would all five fly about like lunatics, nevertheless,

I love them very much.


It seemed to me extraordinary to see the Shamas and Pekins so

friendly with each other ; each would enter the other’s aviary and even

help itself to the other’s food.


The Pectoral Finches last year made their nest in a box 6 feet

from the ground inside the shelter, but were not successful in rearing

their young. This year they built it in the open and under a primrose

clump, and reared two very fine birds. My Cordon Bleus

reared up to nine or ten days then forsook their young—as usual.


The four hybrids of the St. Helena X Orange-cheek that I bred

last year are to-day charming and lively birds and are greatly admired

by all who see them, also the Goldbreast x Avadavat hybrids, with

their strongly marked red eye-streaks and vivid scarlet-gold breasts

and the white dots of the Avadavat.



