8



E. Guild—Tahitian Aviculture



collection ; but the friendly Golden is quite happy amongst any small

birds—-bullying is not in his make-up.


I left Nawton and the beautiful North Riding of an early morning.

Twice I came across numbers of covert Pheasants crossing the roadway.

I made three resolutions : (1) To acquire an extensive collection of


Pheasants ; (2) to build an aviary for waders ; and (3) to revisit my

kind friends Captain Scott-Hopkins and Mr. P. J. Lambert as soon

as possible.



TAHITIAN AVICULTURE :

ACCLIMATIZATION OF FOREIGN BIRDS


By Eastiiam Guild


To the average person the mention of a tropical island immediately

brings forth a vision of rich green foliage, brilliant flowers, and exotic

birds. Tahiti is no exception to this general impression as far as foliage

and flowers are concerned, but for some reason there is practically

no bird life, and according to reports made by early voyagers and by

ornithologists visiting the island later there have never been many

kinds of birds here.


Since the climatic conditions were favourable and the profusion

of grasses, weeds, and flowers provided a variety of foods, I could see

no reason why certain small birds from other countries of similar

climate should not thrive here and I started the experiment with a few

Fire Finches and Cordon Bleus which I personally brought with me

from Dakar, West Africa. The French Government has been very

sympathetic in my experiments, giving me necessary permits to import

birds and has passed local laws prohibiting all shooting and trapping.

Likewise the British Consul General has aided me considerably to

obtain permits to secure some of the exquisite and rare Australian

finches. I am just now expecting through the courtesy of Mr. H. B.

Brown, Secretary of the Taronga Zoo of Sydney, a shipment of about

five hundred birds from Australia, including Gouldian, Long-tailed,

and Star Finches all to be liberated as soon as they have been properly

conditioned.



