Prebendary J. E. Sweetnam — Notes, from a Somerset Aviary 303


Senegal Turacos laid two eggs during July only to be eaten quickly

by the made. A further clutch of three was laid during August ; both

birds sat well but the eggs proved to be infertile.


Many new species have been added to the collection during the year-

including fine pairs of Crown Pigeons, Nocturnal Curucoe’s, White-

Asetic Cranes, and White Rhea’s, and also a wonderful pair of Sun-

Bitterns.



NOTES FROM A SOMERSET AVIARY


By Prebendary J. E. Sweetnam, Taunton


If one may judge by the occasional requests for, and appreciations

of, articles and notes about birds neither very rare nor very difficult,,

it would appear that quite a number of our members may think it

worth while reading such an article by one whose limitations of time

and space thus restrict his avicultural activities. A preliminary list of

species bred here this season will define the scope of this article. The

numbers in parentheses after the species gives the number of breeding

pairs, and the number following the young bred from them :—•


Peaceful Doves (3) 20, Diamond Doves (1) 6, Red Headed Parrot

Finches (4) 9 (to date, 13th October, pairs still incubating and rearing

in inside aviary), Tricoloured Parrot Finches (1) 3, Parson Finches (1) 7,

Olive Finches (1) 12, Cherry Finches (1) 8, Diamond Sparrows (1) 3,

Aurora Finches (1) 1, Bengalese (about nine pairs, but mostly engaged

as fosters for rarer species) 19.


Bichenow’s (2) which reared several young last season have, for

some unaccountable reason, produced only infertile eggs this. Black

Seed, Diuca, and Mexican Rose Finches all nested, but either did not

lay or failed to rear. My one pair of Pintailed Nonpareils nested but

did not lay. As these are in perfect condition, and quite content with

ordinary seed, I have good hopes of succeeding with them next season,

and have held on to them when disposing of most of my other species,

pending the erection of aviaries at Enborne, Newbury, whither I expect

to migrate after Christmas.



