Ornamental Pheasant Society Notes



287



It is a careless nest builder, and if not disturbed will use the same

nesting site throughout the season. Usually the succeeding clutch of

eggs is laid a day or two after the young have left the nest. Always

the squabs are sleek and well-fed. The old birds are very fond of

bread. Mealworms they will not touch. Their favourite seeds seem

to be millet and hemp, especially the latter. I have observed Mourning

Doves taking sun, but not water baths. They get along well with the

smaller species of foreign Doves, such as Cape and Diamond Doves.

Surplus specimens released from the aviary frequently return after a

few days. I always recognize them by their legbands. After they

have had food and drink, they fly ofl swiftly into the nearby hills, and

soon learn to shift for themselves.



ORNAMENTAL PHEASANT SOCIETY NOTES


The O.P.S. Summer General Meeting was a great success, and some

sixty members attended. We were greatly honoured by the presence

of your President, Mr. A. Ezra, and to prove still further (if proof was

needed) that our Society has the approval of the Avicultural Society,

your Editor, Miss E. E. Chawner, and Secretary, Miss E. M. Knobel,

graced us with their kindly presence. Monsieur J. Delacour, our

President, was in the Chair. Indeed, it was a notable gathering of

fervent aviculturists, and every members of the O.P.S. should feel

proud to think that such a meeting was possible. A hearty vote of

thanks was accorded the London Zoological Society for their kindness

in allowing us the use of their Council Boom, and also for free admission

to the Gardens. Many of our members were dumbfounded by the

almost palatial building which is the headquarters of the most famous

avicultural society in the world. The Council room was an inspiration

in itself. Many important matters were discussed at our meeting.

I had the honour of being appointed Secretary and Treasurer, and I

hope to serve the Society well and faithfully. The subject of importing

Pheasants from Calcutta was perhaps the most vital consideration.

It was decided that we should import next spring some of India’s



