10



E. Guild—Tahitian Aviculture



Pin-tailed Nonpareil ( Erythrum pmsina) ; Cherry Finch ( Aidemosyne

modesia) ; Royal Parrot Finch (Erythrum regia) ; Parrot Finch

(Erythrum psittacea) ; Tri-coloured Parrot Finch (Erythrum trichroa) $

Spice-bird (Munia punctulata) ; Bronze Mannikin (Spermestes

cucullatus) ; Tahitian White-throated Lory (Coriphilus peruvianus).


The last named of this group were formerly quite plentiful here,

but have been extinct on Tahiti for many years. They are now to be

found only on certain atolls in the Tuamotus. They are very shy

birds and live in the tops of coco-nut trees where they feed on the

blossoms ; they of course disappeared as soon as they were liberated,

but must surely have found a natural habitat.


Birds which I am sure were Unable to Thrive

Black Swan (Chenopis atmta) ; Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata).


Before liberating any birds they are kept in aviaries a sufficient

length of time to observe their habits and to condition them. Upon

arrival they are put in a special house for observation and any sick

birds are immediately removed. The well birds are put in conditioning

aviaries to stay until they are in perfect plumage.


As soon as I feel that they are in a normal condition the birds are

transferred to the liberating aviaries which face the rose garden beside

my house. In the rose garden are feed dishes for the birds at liberty,

to which five or six hundred birds come regularly four times a day,

in response to my whistle. In the flights of the liberating aviaries are

feed dishes exactly like the ones outside in the rose garden. Also the

drinking and bathing fountains are correspondingly alike—one inside

for the caged birds and one just outside for the free ones. On the

side of the flights facing the garden and feed trays are trap doors which

can be operated from the terrace by cords. When I feel that the birds

in the aviaries are sufficiently accustomed to the routine of feeding,

I carefully pull open the trap door and let a few birds out every day

until the cage is empty. The first birds to be liberated stay in the

vicinity of the flight cage attracted by their friends left inside and by

the time they are all free they are accustomed to the outside feeding

trays and drinking fountain and a large percentage have found suitable

places nearby to sleep.



