STUDENT OF BIRDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 97, 26 April 1930, Page 7

STUDENT OF BIRDS.

MASTER MARINER'S HOBBY.

COLLECTOR OF RAKE PLUMAGE.

HUNTINGDON WITH AN AVIARY. Birds of most glorious shades and hues are on board the Federal Steam Navigation Company's steamer Huntingdon, at present berthed at the Queen's wharf. From Africa, from Venezuela, from Cuba and other parts of the world thev have been collected. Not for sale are' these birds of rare plumage, but a hobby of the commander, Captain H. G. B. Field. Captain Field, who has in hie travels gathered the most precious and rare birds for his aviary at Home in Worthing, Sussex, has made a study of birds ever since he has been at sea, and is known world wide as a collector of rare birds. On board this trip Captain Field has a pair of Venezuelan parrots or parrotlets which are the envy of all aviarists. These birds, when full grown, are only 4| inches from their beak to the tip of their tails. They are a magnificent bright green in colour, and can be made to talk and sing. These birds are the smallest parrots in the world. Captain Field procured them in Panama on his way to New Zealand. Only one pair of these parrots are known to exist at present 111 England, and they are in Lady Grey's aviary. A bird of rich plumage, and which he hopes to get a mate for on his way Home, is a Cuban massacoot. Not one pair of massacoots has yet been secured by an English aviary. These birds are extremely rare, and can only be secured at certain times. About the size of a chaff-finch, the colour of the bird is most gorgeous. With a head of deep purple blue, the breast is a salmon red, while the back of the bird and the wings change from a beautiful grey to various shades of colouis too wonderful to describe. A great friend and aviarist at Panama secured this bird for Captain Field, and every effort is being made to get a mate for it. The one at present on board is the male species. A Birth at Sea. A most wonderful event, which took place on this trip, was the hatching of a Jacobin pigeon. A magnificent pair of Jacobin pigeons which Captain Field has on board have now a young bird, and very proud are the parents of the youngster. When the mother laid two eggs, Captain Field never dreamed it would be possible to hatch them at sea. It is a well-known fact that vibrations, lightning addle eggs. Surely a ship rolling and pitching at sea, vibrations from the engines and thunder and lightning encountered would be enough to spoil any eggs, yet the Jacobin mother has been able to hatch one egg. The great event took placi* eight days ago, and it was four day.; I.jfore the hen got off the nest to allow Captain Field to view her young. At present the youngster, which is still naked, not yet showing the signs of a feather, is full of life and a great pet of the owner. Among the collection of birds on board are the African green and grey singing finches, the lavender and the fire finches, the cordon blue finches, the Senegal wapbills, the pin-tailed and the paradise whydahs, the orange bishop finches, and the cut-throats, as well as the South American cardinals. Captain Field has brought only some of the birds which he is taking Home; the balance will be picked up when he reaches Panama. Captain Field, besides beir.g a great collector himself, helps t.o collect birds for his daughter.- who is a great bird lover. His daughter shows all the rare birds at the big shows in England, and has" reaped many prizes. The way Captain Field has landed his birds at Home has brought forth many letters of appreciation from all the leading aviarists in England. His cages on board show great and careful thought, and are a pleasure to view. Speaking of birds generally, Captain Field stated that there is not one aviary in England which has a section for New Zealand birds, and many at Home would be only too pleased to commence an aviary of our native birds. Captain Field hopes that one day lie will be able to have a New Zealand section. "Of course New Zealand has restricted the exportation of native birds, so has many countries," said Captain Field, "but with most "countries permits are given to recognised aviarists to procure pairs for showing, and I hope one day that I will be able to take some of your glorious birds Home."