264



Correspondence



After all, most things in life only become lastingly of interest when some

aim and object is kept in view.


There are more ornithological problems to be solved to-day, now that

ornithology is becoming a real science, than ever before, and much can be

learnt from watching living birds at close quarters and with intelligence,

that is of the utmost importance in building up the complete history of a

genus of species. For example, the observance of the movements or voice

of a particular bird in captivity can decide finally whether it shall rank

as distinct or not from some closely allied form. Much could be done to

solve the problem of the classification of the extraordinary little Finch-like

birds of the Galapagos Islands, could we but observe their habits in captivity.

Would our pleasure in keeping and breeding them be lessened by the fact

that we might be contributing something to science ?


Whether “ aviculturists ”, whatever they may be, heartily disapprove

of this point of view or not, it is at least to be hoped that they will give it

their open-minded and logical consideration.


(Signed) An Ornithologist.



WAXBILLS


I do not know if the following information will be of any use to you, but

have been advised to write to you in the hope that the information will be

of use in your records.


In an outdoor aviary at the above address, a pair of Golden-breasted

Waxbills have succeeded in raising three youngsters and a pair of African

Firefinches two youngsters.


Golden-breasted Waxbills. —The hen was bought in May and the cock

in June, 1934, and were awarded V.H.C. at the East Ham Bird Show in

January, 1935.


They selected a wooden box filled with hay in the open flight, made a

tunnel in the hay, and proceeded to cram it tight with feathers. The first

egg was laid on 16th May, 1935, but the first clutch of four was infertile. Their

second attempt was a failure, the birds being turned from the nest after two

eggs were laid, by a pair of Red-eared Waxbills. On 28tli June they started

again, and four eggs were laid (one each morning), the clutch of four being

completed on 1st July. The first two birds hatched on 12th July, the third

on the 13th, and the fourth on the 15th, the latter dying on 28th July. The

youngsters were jet black, with a little patch of white down on the top of the

beak, the inside of the mouth being pearl grey, black spotted ; their eyes

opened on 21st July and, feathering nicely, the remaining three flew on

1st August, one flying before completely losing its patch of baby down.


African Firefinches. —Hen bought in June, 1934, and the cock in Mav,

1935.


Nest built exactly the same as the Goldbreasts, but inside the shelter.

The first nest of four eggs, 7-10th June, was infertile. The second nest,

lst-4th July, also four eggs, was successful. The first hatched on 14th July,

two on the 15th, and one on the 16th : the latter died on the 20th. These

young were also black, with a little white spot on each side of beak, top

and bottom, a hen Avadavat assisting in the feeding of them. Three flew on

1st August, but one unfortunately got wedged behind a cage in the shelter

and died of starvation.



