Correspondence



93



which he cannot possibly include for lack of space. Finally, I consider it

most regrettable that Mr. Marsden should have aired his views in this manner

in such a reputable Magazine as ours, and he should at least have discovered

the reason for his letter being excluded before rushing into print.


P. J. Lambert.



EXPLANATION


Madam,— The trader who deals in nest boxes would like to reply to the

letter that appeared in a recent issue. I am as much a private breeder of

Budgerigars as Mr. Marsden is, and I must protest against the ungentlemanly

sarcasm of the term “ dealer in nest boxes ”. May I say that these nest

boxes were originally intended for my own use. Other breeders liked and

wanted them. By their sale I was able to ensure a humble living for an

otherwise unemployable invalid, who undertook the work of constructing

them, and it is a pity Mr. Marsden forces me to disclose a small work of

charity.


E. Cooper.



COMMENT ON DR. AMSLER’S ARTICLE


Madam,— I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dr. Amsler’s article in last

month’s Magazine, perhaps his experience in rearing Pheasant chicks made

a special appeal to me. Up to date it cannot be said that he has had even a

modicum of good luck, but his turn will come. He refers to broods of chicks

“ gradually ” getting smaller and smaller, and blames rats and stoats for this,

I think the use of this adverb conclusively points to rats, a stoat would, I think,

make short work of the chicks and the process would be anything but gradual.

I do not think the Elliot’s chick will wander far if one provides plenty of

cover, they will hunt for insects, but I have found that they will not go

far if the insect food is to be obtained near at hand. If this is not available,

then no Pheasant chick is so persistent in travelling in search of insects.

I cannot agree that Peacock Pheasant chicks are delicate in their early

stages. I quite honestly state that I have found that these chicks are easier

to rear than any other species if we except the Silver and possibly the>Reeve’s.

Dr. Amsler suggests that high perches will provide safety for the hens if the

male bird has his flying powers reduced by clipping the feathers of one wing

(he is presuming of course that the male bird is a bully). That is correct

and a good idea, but if the upper mandible is filed down to the “ quick ”,

then the male bird cannot seriously damage the hens.


Personally, I never turn the eggs, and have found that by placing them

in an upright position with the larger end uppermost, this will suffice to

preserve the germ from damage. I have kept eggs in this manner for a

fortnight, and the results have been very pleasing. Dr. Amsler’s remark

about dusting the broody with powder is splendid, and of far greater

importance than many phasianists imagine; a chick which is harbouring

numberless insects cannot possibly thrive. I am convinced that the Kestrel

hawk will take Pheasant chicks. I have heard it said that only an occasional

rogue will do so, but do not believe it. Dr. Amsler is quite right. I cannot,

however, agree with his “ kind ” remarks about the Sparrow Hawk. I had



