G. H. Gurney—Notes from Assouan



65



The room which they share with me is about 20 by 18 feet and has

windows to the south and east. It gets all the sun there is until about

3.30 o’clock, but it is in no wise a warm room. I find it most important

to place cages where they will have the maximum of light and the

minimum of draught, and, in an ordinary room, an open wire cage

is difficult to place. All my cages have backs, either permanent or

detachable, and in some positions sides are advisable. Generally, the

best place is at right angles to a window, but not immediately in front

of it.


On January mornings the room strikes one as cold. The

temperature by the window, where the cages are, is only a few degrees

above 40°, but the birds do not seem to feel in the least cold.

A pair of Gouldian Finches and their six September-hatched young

ones never show a ruffled feather, and they are keen on their bath

however frosty the weather, providing it is sunny. Light appears to

affect their spirits more than temperature. It is interesting to note

how much hardier home-bred Gouldians are than imported birds.

A Shama is spending his tenth winter here, and Long-tailed Grass

Finches are quite happy. I find it possible to winter these last outside,

but they certainly look miserable during hard frost.


Lately I brought in a pair of young Diamond Doves. These are

the only birds which feed regularly by artificial light. I often hear

them at their food tin quite late in the evening. The Shama has

a passion for wireless, and will sometimes sing to it late at night, but

I have seldom known him feed after dark. He is, however, a light

sleeper and will accept a mealworm at any hour.



NOTES FROM ASSOUAN


By G. H. Gurney, F.Z.S.


As I am spending three months in this wonderfully fascinating

Egyptian town I send a few notes on the everyday birds which one

sees around one. I am afraid the notes will not have much connection

with Aviculture, as the average Egyptian’s only idea in keeping a bird

alive is to cage it, until it is fat enough to eat, and one may see in the



