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E. F. Chawner—Aviary Jottings



brilliant “ bibs ”, erect their horns, and show off their beautiful plumage.

They and their hens usually appear to be on good terms, more so than

the true Pheasants, particularly the “ Coppers ”, who often treat their

wives with great brutality, even killing them if they show reluctance

to comply with their lords’ desires. Last year “ Scintillans ” was so

vicious that he could only be allowed access to his hen when someone

stood by to frustrate his murderous intentions, consequently all the

eggs were infertile.


This year, up to date (touch wood !) he has turned over a new leaf,

and we hope that the union will be crowned with offspring. Soemerring,

on the contrary, is a timid creature, bullied and driven by his masterful

wife.


When Pheasants are really familiar they show unexpected traits of

character. A Cabot’s Tragopan learnt to take monkey nuts from hand.

One day we wished to remove him from his rather small pen to a

much larger and better one some way off ; this, of course, involved

catching him and his chief friend undertook the job, thinking that

the bird would be less upset than if a stranger caught hold of him.

The job was soon done and Cabot safely inside his new abode. Next

day his friend called on him and offered the customary nuts, Cabot

eyed him coldly and stalked off, he showed as plainly as if he could

speak that he did not intend to have dealings with anyone who abused

his confidence under the guise of friendship. He took nuts from the

rest of us as readily as ever. He kept up this attitude for several weeks,

regardless of blandishments and entreaty, till one day he relented and

let bygones be bygones.


A certain liveliness prevails in the duckery. The South African

Shelduck laid as usual, they are very free breeders, and their ducklings

easily reared. We feel more excited at the prospect of Orinoco goslings

as this is the first time we have had eggs from this species. The gander

is a handsome bird, and “ shows off ” by throwing an enormous chest

when we approach him or his wife.


The small ducks on the river are laying, but it is very difficult to

fit the right layer to the laid. So often the egg is deposited late in the

evening or early in the morning and when it is found the Duck is

disporting herself on the river with the rest. If these eggs hatch, we



