354 P. C. MacJcie—Visit to Professor Ghigi, Bologna


paths were Pheasant aviaries containing pairs of rare Pheasants all in

magnificent condition. Unfortunately we had little time left, as we should

have liked to have; made a detailed list or description of all that these

pheasantries contained, but we particularly noted fine pairs of Imperials,

Mikado, Edward’s, and other Kaleege—Horsfield, Bels, etc.—and one

of the finest Elliot’s the writer has ever seen.


We were surprised at the small size of Professor Ghigi’s aviaries—

all were of a delightful style and the birds they contained were in

faultless condition, yet the aviaries were in many cases only a few yards

square and well sanded and raked. Creepers were trained over the pens

to give shade and well-grown shrubs made enclosures pleasing to the

eye. At the top of this path were several rows of aviaries with cement

shelters and these could be divided into two parts to segregate the

sexes if necessary. We thought of Plumis’s remark in Cage Birds ,

regarding the quality of English Swinhoes when we saw Professor

Ghigi’s—his certainly were magnificent !


We particularly noted Professor Ghigi’s study of climatic require¬

ments for different species—thus the Argus and Rheinhardt’s Argus

had their aviaries entirely covered with creepers except at the side by

the path, for these species cannot live in comfort and health in direct

sunshine but need heavy shade in summer and reasonable warmth

in winter. We were shown a fine pair of Chinquis Peacock Pheasants

which had not bred this season as the cock had not been fully adult

(there seem to be various opinions on fertility of Peacock Pheasants

in their first year !), and we also saw a trio which Professor Ghigi

asserted could not be told from Germains except by one well acquainted

with Peacock Pheasants but which were, in fact, Chinquis X Germain,

which is a perfectly fertile cross.


There were several pens of fine Blue Crossoptilons which although

not at liberty had large grassy runs with open tops. We were particularly

intrigued by three young Blue Crossoptilons, which were well grown and

the most delightful chicks imaginable as they are so delightfully tame

and friendly. What an ideal country Italy is for rearing Pheasants—-

ants are so plentiful that a supply of pupae must be simple to collect,

and silkworm pupae is excellent for both chicks and adults and is

extensively used.



