164



Maurice Amsler—Breeding Prospects for 1933



nesting for the past six weeks, whereas another pair, the hen of which

was only purchased from Mr. Frost some three weeks ago, have

a completed nest, and now have eggs.


The Blue Robins in this aviary have also been disappointing, the

cock, who was an adult bird in 1926, is still in perfect breeding condition

and magnificent plumage, but I had the sad misfortune to lose his

original mate last winter, a substitute which I obtained from a kind

friend, while accepting all his attentions (which included many

mealworms), appeared a little weak in flight and refused to build.

After wasting much time I bought back a 1931 hen of my own breeding,

which I substituted for this unsatisfactory bird, and within fourteen

days I am able to report a nest containing five eggs.


Four aviaries from 8 to 20 ft. long are given up to Budgerigars

in their different colour varieties. These are “ seed-winners ”, by

which I mean that they pay their way, even with the present over¬

production, and enable one to purchase a few birds occasionally without

encroaching on one’s banking account.


This leaves four larger aviaries some 30 by 10 ft., each of which

is about equally divided, between flight and shelter.


In No. 1 I have a pair of Shamas nesting as already mentioned,

a pair of Bartlett’s Bleeding-heart Doves, which produced fertile eggs

last year but no young. This year I have in No. 3 aviary two pairs of

Barbary Doves, which I intend to use as foster-parents. The only

other occupants of No. 1 are a pair of Siberian Bullfinches, which

I have had for many years. These have nested and hatched young on

several occasions, but have never succeeded completely. Last summer

I caged these birds and by giving them their liberty alternately induced

the hen to build in a cypress-tree in my garden, after which I liberated

both birds. Eggs were laid, but unfortunately some marauder,

possibly a jackdaw, destroyed the eggs, and I had to catch up both

birds again as the season was advanced and I did not expect any more

nesting.


In No. 2 aviary I have a few pairs of Roller Canaries and a few

odd Serins which may or may not produce hybrids. It was in this aviary

that my Blue Rock Thrushes bred in 1931, and again with only partial

success in 1932.



