Mrs. R. G. Ashby—My Birds in Scotland 205


MY BIRDS IN SCOTLAND


By Mrs. R. G-. Ashby


The thought that we are not supporting our new Editor is my

excuse for these notes.


Aviculture to the enthusiast is restricted by two important factors,

accommodation and purse. In my case (perhaps fortunately), both of

these exist. The former is, I fear, the more important. Overcrowding

spells failure, at least as far as breeding successes, all the time. Never¬

theless, I continue to tempt providence year after year. Instead of

reducing my stock it is the reverse. Naturally providence exacts the

extreme penalty and I regret my achievements are practically nil.


My accommodation comprises the four sides of a smallish garden.

The four sides are aviaries, all 6 feet high and 6 feet broad. With the

exception of a “ wilderness ” aviary, all have cement floors. The flights

average about 18 feet each in length, with shelters, unheated, each

6 feet long. One flight is divided lengthwise. A bird house, electrically

heated, thermostatically controlled, and a conservatory complete my

establishment.


The bird house, the lighting being from the roof, has three rows of

shelves around the room. By means of wire fronts and slides I can

divide each shelf into seventeen cages about 18 inches long or any

number down to one, the latter cage being a flight of about 32 feet.

The conservatory has three racks of shelves, two of which can furnish

fifteen cages each and the other eight. This latter rack is of much

larger size, and cages can be 9 by 2 by 2 feet if desired. This size

accommodated my Toco Toucan and Touracou all last winter, and they

were in perfect condition.


The climate here is particularly mild, as we are at the seaside, and

there is an almost entire absence of smoke. My losses are now a

minimum and usually due to my own indiscretions. For example,

I have lost this season three Peter’s Spotted Eirefinch cocks. I have

now discovered the cause. Pairs were placed in the “ wilderness ” aviary

with a pair of Melba Finches. I am now satisfied that these two species

cannot be associated as the cock Melba kills the cock Peter’s. Ruficaudas

and Heck’s are left alone. I wonder if any other member has had a



