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A. Sherrijf—In a Hampstead Garden



at least, three out of four cocks are fertile, i.e. 75 per cent. Possibly

in better hands the proportion would have been 100 per cent.


The same border hen is sitting again ; if any of her eggs are fertile

she will be allowed to rear the young herself, as it is getting late for

foster-mothers in cages. I fear my chances of rearing any young from

this nest are meagre as I seldom manage to rear Canaries in aviaries,

though they are easy enough, but more trouble in cages.


With any luck I may have two or three F 2 hybrids next year.


Cocks I should mate with Canary hens, and hens, if they prove

fertile to a Canary, I shall try with Hooded Siskin cocks. Apart from

the amusement derived from these experiments which, by the way,

might be carried out on highly scientific lines by anyone who had time,

the results are quite pleasing, for the first cross male hybrid is a

perfectly delightful and constant singer, to my mind far in advance

of either parent. Should any other member be working on the same

lines I should be very glad to hear from him, as a change of blood may

be useful or necessary in the latter stages of these crossings.



IN A HAMPSTEAD GARDEN


By A. Sherriff


Successes in rearing birds have not been frequent here for a year

or two. This season so many birds wish to nest that there was not

sufficient space to afford them all the necessary facilities.


There are two large breeding aviaries and a winter aviary which

comprises six small flights, each with an inner flight. Behind these are

two larger bird-rooms and the whole is heated by water pipes. The

aviaries are by no means ideal, but it is very doubtful if anyone has

found the perfect aviary. Improvements that could be made are

numerous but expense has to be considered, and if birds are happy and

live well we have to be content.


The difficulty of finding suitable food for nesting insectivorous

birds has encouraged us previously to give them liberty when breeding.

This is not nearly as difficult as it sounds but there are many risks.



