A. Sherriff—In a Hampstead Garden



233



The birds may not stay, one may die, and in those circumstances the

other will probably disappear. If young are reared, they may decide

that they are not happy with the environment and decide to seek happier

hunting-grounds. Worst of all, a marauding cat may leave the young

in the nest to die. If it were only law that cats, like dogs, should be

kept under control and not allowed to create havoc amongst young

birds or to cause sleepless nights by their caterwaulings, aviculture in

this neighbourhood would be easier. Eight young Painted Quails

died a sudden death owing to their ability to squeeze through half¬

inch wire netting, on account of one of these animals.


The first attempt to nest this year was made by two out of three

Black-headed Sibias which were bred in 1930. The pair had been put

out into the largest breeding aviary in early May, and survived quite

happily the severe frost of that month. It is really amazing how hardy

they are. In early June they had hatched two young, one of which

presumably died after seven days and was carried away by the parents,

for no trace of it was discovered. As soon as the young were hatched,

a hole about 12 inches square was cut in the wire of the aviary at the

top and a perch which projected “ in and out ” was affixed by a nail.

It took only a few minutes for the cock to find his way out and ever

since then they have been at liberty. The one youngster is now almost

indistinguishable from the parents and spends all day at liberty, but

generally returns to the aviary to roost. Probably we shall catch him

up soon, but in any case it is doubtful if he would leave unless the

parents drive him away. This is a point to be considered, for we believe

that the old birds have another nest, though it is very difficult to

obtain definite confirmation. The hen must have had a very narrow

escape from death as she is now minus a tail; no doubt a cat again.

It is surprising for a Sibia to be so caught for they are extraordinarily

quick in every way.


About the same time that the Sibias had hatched, the pair of

Shamas had built a nest and were busy incubating three eggs, from

which two young duly emerged. For the first time we tried giving them

their liberty but another cock Shama in an adjoining aviary was the

cause of so much diversion that we had to shut them up again. This

was accomplished without any difficulty. Why the young died after



