Ornamental Pheasant Society Notes



61



It was a beautifully woven nest, but with no lining. Eggs were laid

on 16th, 17th, and 18th November—three eggs. The hen started to

sit on the 17th, and the first baby hatched on 1st December. By

2nd December there were two babies. The third egg, bluish green

very mottled with brown spots, disappeared. The hen appeared to do

all the feeding and I never saw the father take anything to the nest.

The food consisted of seeded grass, of which there was plenty growing

in the aviary, growing canary seed, soaked seeds, soaked millet sprays,

eggs and Madeira cake, Shama food, and gentles. There were meal¬

worms, but the birds did not touch them, although the mother seemed

to be always looking round the trees for insects. The weather was

really wintry and I had to protect the nest from rain by putting a

large piece of glass on the roof.


The birds continued to grow and the mother ceased to sit on them

at night on the twelfth night. The first baby left the nest on

17th December, not too well-feathered, and the other left the nest on

19th December. The weather was so very cold that one night I was

very worried about them, so after dark I brought them inside, putting

them back in the morning at 4 a.m. They continued to grow and were

fully independent of their parents on 5th January. I took them away

and put them in another aviary. I shall have to wait until they colour

up before I can tell what sex they are.


Mns. A. Ewens.



ORNAMENTAL PHEASANT SOCIETY NOTES


During the year 1937, the O.P.S. made steady progress, and if

one source of advancement was more noticeable than any other, then

it was the fact that our Society is now making a world-wide appeal.

Of members who joined the O.P.S. during 1937, no less than 35 per

cent live in countries other than Great Britain. We consider this

feature most satisfactory, we always intended that our activities

should be of world-wide significance, and our appeal for support has

been broadcast to all countries. At our annual general meeting, which

will take place before these notes appear, our members will consider



