26



K. Drake—Failures versus Successes



the birds soon arrive ! Now, honestly, if he read of many failures

I know I should not have got those new birds. Instead, I should

probably have heard words like these, “ Don’t you think it is time you

gave up that bird hobby, surely it is only a rich man’s hobby ? ” etc.

No, I emphatically say. Let us hear of all the successes we can, and

cover up most of the failures one does not want to dwell on too much

sickness and death, let us rather hear of the joys and successes of

life. One is bound to have failures with England’s inclement weather.


In the article is also stated “ the new recruit to the fancy does

not, therefore, understand that things are not always quite as easy,

or as rosy, as it might appear ”. Now, if a new recruit heard of many

failures, it is not likely there would be many new recruits, also, if a new

recruit does not realize that a bird arriving from the Tropics needs

great care, I think he or she had far better be content with Canaries

and Budgerigars. I remember well when I arrived in England from the

Tropics how I was wrapped in “ prickly ” woollen garments, and my

diet seemed to consist mainly of porridge, dripping, butter, and cod-

liver oil ! the awful penalty of being born in the Tropics ! Well, the

birds have to go through it too. Oh, I really cannot forget the wearing

of that awful “ respirator ” (it is called by that name because one cannot

“ respirate ” through it !), but I should not recommend putting one

on a bird. Please don’t, as I feel sure we were compelled to wear the

hateful things only to stop our bad language on the English weather,

the restricted houses, and oh, those prickly, scratchy garments ! Now

the writer goes on to say, “ successes are not always due to the cleverness

of the breeder, but in getting a pair of birds that will breed.” I do

not like the word “ cleverness ”, but I do think a great deal of the

success of breeding is due to the study and understanding of the birds

by the breeder and of their care, food, etc.


This is merely my opinion, let others give theirs if they will.



