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P. J . Lambert—Waders



this form of bird life, but during the past four years I have kept the

following : the Dunlin, Ruff and Reeve, Redshank, Common Sandpiper,

the Black- and Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Whirnbrel (I like to think

of this bird as the Lesser Curlew), Lapwing, and Oyster Catcher.

I was told that if one mixed many varieties in an aviary, fighting would

take place, and this of a continuous nature. However, I tried the

experiment and the trouble has never materialized. My Wader aviary

is 12 yards long and 6 yards wide. At the south end I have enclosed

a space of 2 yards long by the width of the aviary. I used boards and

covered these with heather and this included the roof. This makes

quite a pleasing effect and the front of this shelter is open to the width

of one yard. In the middle of the aviary I have a shallow pond covering

about 8 square yards, and this is built of concrete; a rockery relieves

the harshness of concrete and I find that Waders do not eat the plant

life I introduce. I do find it necessary to renew the water every week

in hot weather, but with the aid of a garden hose I find it a simple

matter to empty and refill. Feeding is not difficult; scalded biscuit-

meal (coarse!, a little boiled rice, and dried shrimps scalded with the

meal. These shrimps are obtainable from Messrs. Rudd and Co.,

180 Bishopsgate Road, E.C., and are inexpensive. Titbits in the form

of ground worms and occasionally a little raw fish and meat is relished.

When I feel sufficiently energetic I go back to my boyhood days and

with a fishing rod and line and “ fish kettle ” visit the local stream

where I catch minnows and sticklebacks ; these fish meet with a hearty

welcome from the Waders and the fish enjoy their new quarters for a

very limited space of time. When I first kept Waders I discovered

that some varieties, especially Godwits, easily went lame. I think

the hard ground was to blame, and I covered the aviary with about

an inch of sand. This gave the surroundings a very natural aspect and

further lameness ceased. I have kept a great number and variety of

birds in my time but I will emphatically state that of all birds I have

found Waders the most interesting. They are continually active and

rarely at rest, their antics will keep one amused for long hours. Let

us have a look at my Waders and watch their habits. There is a Ruff

facing another Ruff, they both extend their peculiar collars and one

will imagine a mortal and bloody combat is about to take place ;



