C. H. Macklin—My Aviaries



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to encourage breeding. This ideal arrangement has not of course been

possible altogether, and though larger enclosures have had to house

mixed collections as before, they are none of them crowded for

a change.


No. 1 Aviary is built of 1 in. mesh chain-link wire and has two

compartments, the first contains my old hen Purple-capped Lory ;

she regularly lays two clutches of eggs and tries to incubate them.

I had great hopes of getting a mate for her this year but, in spite of a

permit to import one, I have so far failed to get hold of a cock bird.

It appears that since the Parrot Ban, and consequent lack of demand

the Lories are now difficult to obtain even in places like Singapore

where they were once plentiful in the bird market. The other compart¬

ment contains my Toro Toucan, also a hen and a most delightful pet,

playful and intelligent and always in perfect condition ; her staple

food consists of soaked “ Winalot ” dog biscuit and fruit, banana,

grapes, and apple cut into cubes.


No. 2 Aviary houses a breeding pair of Spreo Starlings by them¬

selves ; last year they were in a mixed aviary and only reared one

youngster out of a nest of four, they are now sitting on four eggs and

I shall probably be able to give them partial liberty during the rearing

period. They are a nice tame pair, both taking live food from my fingers.


Next door to the Spreos, in No. 8 Aviary, are a pair of Red-faced

Lovebirds also by themselves, although I have not much hopes of

any breeding results from them ; last year this couple was often seen

pairing and the hen spent much time in a wooden nest-box but did

not lay. I think what they want is a really very hot spell of weather

to bring them into proper breeding condition.


Next to them is No. 9, one of my new aviaries and the largest ;

the shelter 12 by 6 feet and the flight 40 by 9 feet. The most interesting

occupants are a pair of Rufus-bellied Niltavas, most delightful birds,

tame and lovely to look upon, they are quite friendly and I have great

hopes that they may nest. A pair of Cherry Finches have built in

a bay bush and are sitting, a pair of G-ouldians are building in a nest-box,

a pair of Chestnut-breasted Finches nested in a “ Hartz ” cage, but the

eggs were clear. Two pairs of common Waxbills are also in this aviary

as possible foster parents for a pair of Queen Whydahs ; the hen



