280



Correspondence



BENGALESE AS FOSTER-PARENTS.


In reply to Preb. Sweetnam’s inquiry re Bengalese as foster-parents.

Probably my list of successes will be helpful and of interest to others.


Completely reared : Diamond Sparrows, Ruficaudas, Blue-headed Parrot

Finches, Bichenos, Masked and Long-tailed Grassfinches, Yellow-rumped

Serins, Cape Canaries, Green Singing Finches, Zebra Finches, Cuban Finches,

and Gouldian Finches. In the case of Gouldian Finches some of the young

reared under Bengalese do not appear quite so large as those reared by the

Gouldians themselves.


I have also reared many different kinds of hybrids under Bengalese.

I still have a hen Cordon Bleu that was reared by Bengalese. On another

occasion they reared one Fire Finch Wax bill and one St. Helena Waxbill

(large variety).


They have often been called upon suddenly to take a nest of deserted

eggs or young, and in many instances did the work quite successfully.


Just over a fortnight ago a pair of Gouldians were in and out of the nest

continually, when upon examination I discovered the nest contained twelve

eggs. Six of these eggs were placed under a pair of Bengalese who had only

laid two eggs and the other six eggs under a pair who had not even laid an

egg. Both pairs sat well and to-day (September 15th) I find chicks hatched

under both pairs. Another instance of the usefulness of these fosters. Three

days ago a pair of Gouldians suddenly deserted a nest of six eggs which

I discovered stone-cold. These were placed under Bengalese who had laid

three eggs, but they took to the new eggs and now three young have hatched.

My method in this case was to warm the cold eggs in my mouth before placing

under the Bengalese (then have a good rinse out with a mouth wash). Of

course it remains to be seen how many of those hatched I shall rear.


Some of these little Bengalese are truly wonderful foster-parents and

I cannot understand why they are not made more use of. I have tried various

breeds of Canary hens for foster-parent duties but they are not to be com¬

pared with Bengalese. Bengalese breed very freely with me. From four nests

of six eggs each they have fully reared twenty-two young.


P. W. Teague.



Our members will hear with interest that Mr. Goodfellow is on his way home

and expects to land in England about the end of September. He writes that

with the exception of a finger-tame Crested Falcon, a few Sunbirds, and four

exquisite Blue-winged Pittas, his stock consists entirely of Pheasants and

four species of Partridges. Of Pheasants he has Reinhardt’s, Edward’s,

Malayan Peacock (P. malaccensis), and Palawan Peacock Pheasants, Argus

and various Firebacks, including the Siamese.


Mr. Goodfellow intends to stay only a short time in England before

starting again for the East, and hopes to return next spring with fresh

treasures. Everyone will be glad to hear that he has recovered from his

recent severe illness followed by two operations, and hope that he will bring

back more good things next spring.



E. F. C.



