R. James—Waders



115



Royal Starlings. —A case of interference with Nature. In 1935

they wanted to go to nest in the very early spring, when we were

still getting exceptionally cold mornings. Having some fears of the

possibility of egg binding, I withheld the white feathers, which they

prefer for a nest. The weather improved after a few weeks, and the

birds then ignored the nesting material provided and went into a

partial moult and, during the whole of that spring and summer, made

no serious attempt at nest building, let alone at breeding. In 1936,

I let them have their own way and, when the hen in the springtime

started carrying a little nesting material, she was immediately given

her white fowl feathers. She went to nest and reared a splendid young

one which is now flying round the aviary. It is, I believe, a cock bird.


Mexican Blue Jay. —Nature apparently determines that the hen

birds should lay eggs, but she was determined that, in spite of

eggs being laid, she did not approve of any of the nesting material

provided, nor was she prepared to use the nesting site in the aviary.

A 56-lb. butter box did not appeal in the slightest, nor did a heap of

twigs laid all ready on top of the box. The hen persistently sat on the

seed tray, but refused to lay there and ignored some twigs that were

provided to induce her to nest even in that unsatisfactory position.

Ultimately, the cock bird was loaned to another aviculturist who had a

hen bird only who had selected a nesting site, but what the ultimate

result was, I do not know.


G. Rowland Hutchinson.



WADERS


By Richard James


It has always been a source of wonderment to myself that so little

should be written about the Wader. W. H. Workman’s article in the

March issue of the Magazine has tempted me to dilate somewhat on

the subject, while the last paragraph inspires me to make an offer.

In general, the Wader is a most admirable aviary bird. Their feeding

is simple, they quickly take to aviary life, are peaceful with each other,

and can be kept with a collection of British Finches and Foreign

Waxbills. The action or movement of the Plover family would charm



