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Correspondence



are to a great extent responsible for this. It is far easier now to get

amongst the birds than it used to be, and so onr interest in them is

increased.


It is impossible to learn about birds without a teacher, and this

may be a reliable book ; but it must be of a size that enables it to

be easily carried in the pocket for quick reference during our rambles.

It must also have good illustrations, some of which at least should

be coloured.


Such a book has just been written by Mr. Norman H. Joy, M.B.O.U.,

entitled How to Know British Birds, and is published by Messrs.

Witherby in their Bird Lovers’ Manuals series, at 5s. net. It will

certainly be found invaluable to those who love the country and want

to know all its birds.


D. S-S.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC


GOULDIAN FINCH


Madam,— With reference to Miss Grant-Ives’s claim that Gouldians do

not require heated aviaries in the winter, may I remind her that one Swallow

does not make a summer.


Although many Gouldians can stand quite a lot of dry, cold weather,

I do not recommend these birds being unduly exposed to the rigours of our

winters, and one must remember our climate is not their natural habitat.


Most of my Gouldians (over forty of them) have been out in unheated

houses all this winter, at an altitude of 850 feet above sea-level, but in spite

of the fact that these are all British aviary-bred (some fourth and fifth

generation) I have been compelled to transfer some to heated quarters, and

I have lost others from unexpected severe frosts, although they have been

in the best of health otherwise.


During the dark months, I provide my birds as often as possible before

dusk with a hurricane lantern which gives sufficient light for them to feed

by, and also the lantern must give off a slight heat yet not usually sufficient

to prevent the water freezing.


In my opinion foreign birds suffer almost as much through not getting

sufficient food in the short hours of winter daylight as from the cold.


I have seven Cordon Bleus that have been in cold, unheated aviaries for

the last two winters, including the wretched one we are still experiencing

(deep snow here 21st April), yet you cannot possibly class these birds as

hardy.



P. W. Teague.



