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0. St. A. S.—Alfred



with rushes, sedges, and water plants will be introduced. I shall

be surprised and disappointed if I fail. I do not anticipate causing

such as Oyster Catchers to propagate, but many of the others

should not be extremely difficult—we will see. I have just

mentioned small ponds but I do not think that ponds are essential

for Waders. I tried a few in a Pheasant aviary and merely gave

them a fair sized bowl of water ; they were quite content and kept

in splendid condition. I mention this for the benefit of those who have

no facilities for making ponds or do not wish for them.


I am hoping that many more aviculturists will keep these birds.

I can assure readers that they will find them most pleasing and

captivating pets. They are naturally tame. At the moment I have

about fifty Waders in my aviary and all of them will approach to

within about a foot or so if they think any titbits are on the point of

being dispensed.



ALFRED


By Olive St. A. S.


Alfred was a Black-capped Lory, a lovely thing of glowing scarlet

and flashing Kingfisher-blue, soft verdant green, and velvety black.


We bought him in a Chinese bird-shop, and from the first he

hated me.


Alfred’s vocabulary was very free, and fortunately for most of his

hearers was in a Malay dialect not very widely spoken. But there

was no doubt as to the import of most of the raucous remarks that used

to be flung at my innocent and inoffensive head, so packed with meaning

were they. Let anyone of the male sex approach him though. What

a transformation ! Gone was the flashing eye and snapping beak,

and with what honeyed words did he spread his burnished quivering

wings and bow his dusky head in humble adoration.


Those who could understand Alfred’s speech assured us that he

was unusually clever, and I have seen Malays sit for hours listening

to his flow of conversation and, judging by the smiles of the audience

and slightly anxious side-glances in my direction, one assumes his



