236



R. James—Breeding British Birds



are at present restricted ; at the moment a pair of Goldfinches are

incubating their third round this season. This is quite usual with

captive Goldfinches. The first brood, all reared “ on purchased food ”

(for the first time in my experience), are all quite healthy birds, and it is

hoped these chicks will themselves rear young for, and in the aviaries

of, fellow members. The said birds were reared almost entirely on

soaked teazle, with the addition of soaked niger and soaked sunflower-

seeds. If sunflower-seeds are omitted from their diet then the niger

must also be withheld.


The second brood, for some unknown reason, seemed poor specimens ;

three of the chicks seemed to have rickets when they left the nest,

which was two days too soon, or too early ; even so one of the weak

chicks has quite recovered and is now self-supporting. This is as

well, because the third brood are almost due to hatch and no

difficulty is anticipated in rearing the last brood, as by that time an

abundance of ripe thistle heads should be obtainable, and at such

times the purchased seeds are not necessary. From the point of view

of the student, the first brood (fed on purchased food) are more

interesting material than are the last. I cannot quite understand why

many fanciers insist on liberating their captive-bred birds. The interest

such birds are likely to afford is by no means exhausted when they

have reached the adult stage ; apart from the fact that it is now more

difficult for many fanciers to obtain their breeding pairs, to breed

with captive-bred birds offers scope for more extensive observations.

It is, of course, better to liberate them than hand them over to a

fancier who will not make a serious attempt to breed with them.


Finch breeding would seem to be trivial when compared with

Wader breeding or breeding migratory softbills, and anyone ambitious

enough to wish to breed the latter would be well advised to

acquire hand-reared specimens as possible breeders. The man who

has enough knowledge, patience, and ingenuity to hand-rear Warblers,

Flycatchers, and Chats is the man who is worthy of profound respect.

I have been privileged to call on Mr. A. E. Phillips, of Harefield, on

two occasions during the last few weeks, and was amazed with admira¬

tion at this young man’s seemingly casual yet efficient method of

hand-rearing such birds. Such a fancier is worthy of mention in our



