C. H. Macklin—My Aviaries 235


and white and always on the move, perfectly good tempered too with

the smaller birds.


No. 7 Aviary, 6 by 12 feet enclosing a large bay bush, contains an

old and tame pair of Silver Pheasants ; another couple of Australian

Plumed Ground Doves, also cocks I fear ; a pair of Bronze-wing

Pigeons which are very timid and wild and my second Blue Whistling

Thrush, these two thrushes can see each other across the garden and

try to out-whistle one another. When they and the Drongo really

get going the effect is remarkable.


No. 5, my original Waxbill aviary, with | in. mesh netting comes next,

here are a pair of Purple Sugarbirds, the cock frequently displays to

his mate but so far I haven’t seen any sign of nest building ; they

seem to stand this variable weather very well, but certainly seem most

comfortable on hot days. With them are a pair of Cuban Finches, sitting

on eggs in a coco-nut husk ; my old pair of Greater St. Helena Waxbills,

an odd cock Gouldian and Queen Whydah cock.


No. 6 Aviary is divided into two compartments each with a sub¬

stantial brick shelter, and each cover about 10 by 5 feet including

flights ; in the outer division are a pair of Purple Starlings, I cannot

find out their exact species, they were sold to me as Purple-shouldered.

I am rather doubtful if they are a true pair, they have shown no sign

of nesting as yet.


The inner compartment is particularly well sheltered in the corner

of an old brick wall and here are my pair of South American Black

and White Woodpeckers. A most exciting event here, for yesterday,

15th June, they hatched two chicks after sitting fifteen days on three

white eggs ; I do not remember reading of any foreign Woodpeckers

breeding in captivity before so I am duly excited ; both parents seem

to be feeding the chicks to-day and I was able to get them a couple

of black meadow ant’s nests to-day and hope to be able to keep up

a supply.


One more aviary, No. 10, built against the old garden wall, 25 by

5 feet, is intended for Pheasants. It contains at the moment an odd

Orange-headed Ground Thrush, and a game bantam with two baby

Elliott Pheasants.



