R. S. de Q. Quincey—Hardiness of a Humming-bird



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very chilly at nights. Not one bird died after then. I noticed that as

soon as the birds were put outside they started picking up something

from the earth. There were no seeds of any sort visible. I rather think

that it must have been some form of chemical material which was

necessary to the birds’ health. I find that Parrot Finches will not

thrive on seed alone ; they need an amount of good soft-food, millet

sprays, and green food such as flowering grass to keep them in health.


In spite of all that has been written about these birds, I feel that

I cannot resist from adding a word in their praise. Of all the small

Finches these are the most delightful, always cheery, full of the joie de

vivre ; some have a pleasant little song. They are easy to breed, and

so great is the demand for them that a few nests will easily pay for the

year’s seed bill. They are certainly the most brilliantly coloured of the

Finch family and compared with the lovely Gouldian Finch make even

that bird look sombre.


If ever you are in doubt about what birds to buy next I would say

get Parrot Finches-—if you can, and you will love them.


(To be continued.)



THE HARDINESS OF A HUMMING-BIRD AND

OTHER NOTES ON BIRDS AT THE VERN


By K. S. de Q. Quincey


In November our Editor asked me to record the fact that a Swallow¬

tailed Humming Bird {Eujpetomena macroura) that I brought over

with me from Pernambuco in April last year, and that I turned into

an outdoor aviary early in May, was still to be seen flying daily in that

aviary. However, a certain fear that such boastfulness might bring

about swift retribution has kept me from publishing this fact. It is now

mid-April ; perhaps I should wait until the twelve months are completed

before telling anyone that this bird is still in this aviary and is still fit,

more fit than any other captive Hummer I have ever seen, and that

he was found to be roosting out of doors, not only on two very frosty

nights (one registered over 7 degrees), but also on that night of very

high wind in the beginning of March.



