P. W. Teague—Gouldians



145



for carrying out some experiments for me. Herewith Mr. Wood’s reply,

which I feel sure will be very helpful to our friends in hot climates.


“ With regard to the souring of the Virol and water mixtures

you are in the habit of using for your birds. You will appreciate that

the difficulty lies in finding a preservative which shall be not only

easy to use, but also completely harmless to the birds. I have, however,

worked out : a method which I think will serve your purpose


“ Obtain from your chemist some 10-volume Hydrogen Peroxide.

Add the Virol to water which has been warmed to about blood heat ;

to half-pint of this solution add one teaspoonful of the Peroxide.

Mix thoroughly, allow to cool before giving same to the birds.


“ You can take it that this addition will be without any harmful

action whatever, and a solution so treated will keep even under summer

conditions for about three days. I cannot tell exactly how long it will

keep, as I have been forced by weather conditions to conduct my

experiments in artificial heat. Should you find it necessary, there is

no objection whatever to doubling the quantity of Hydrogen Peroxide

used. I should like to point out while on this question, that on dis¬

solving Virol in the water, the fat contained in the Virol is bound to

separate and form a layer on the surface. This must not be taken to

mean that the solution is in any way 4 going off It is a perfectly

natural result and one which cannot be avoided in any way.”


I shall try the above formula this summer, but my method of making

the ; Virol-water is to boil the water first and then let it cool to blood

heat before adding the Virol. I shall be interested to hear what results

and observations are made by those using the above.


In spite of my absence I did not lose a single Gouldian from the

usual summer complaints, but the bitter cold winds we had in November

and December last caused the death of two Gouldians from chills.

My Fire Finches, Cordon Bleus, Blue-headed and Golden-breasted

Waxbills all came through the winter outdoors without heat, and I take

it last winter was of average severity; anyway, it was pretty severe

in this locality.


I forgot to mention that the old pair of Gouldians previously

■mentioned usually commence moulting in November or December

in spite of their being imported birds. This pair usually commence to



