CAGE BIRDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22628, 16 January 1937, Page 7 (Supplement)

CAGE BIRDS

By TAILFEATHERS

OCCASIONALLY, I am asked: ''What arc the benefits to a child or a young person in keeping birds —what is the practical benefit, and what does the parent receive for the expenditure of a shilling or two each week on food and other necessary requirements?'' Have you ever noticed a child inattentive, discontented and occasionally showing characteristics of cruelty which pain you i -1 Sometimes you notice destructive tendencies which, if developed, may lead to disaster later in lile. Should you, as a parent or guardian, wish to correct some of these common faults, I suggest the present ol a pair of budgerigars or common finches as aids in your efforts to improve character. Certainly, at first glance there does not seem to he much connection between character building and,the keeping ot birds in captivity, but let me explain. A pair of birds must be attended to each morning with unfailing regularity. You are bringing the child iu contact with something alive —something which depends upon him for its very life. Make sure, however, that the child and not the parent looks alter the birds. You are providing something interesting and ever-changing to occupy those idle moments which we are taught can sometimes lead to evil. Pleasant Variety Birds arc something different Irom the ordinary routine of life. They can be a refreshing draught of Nature that subdues discord produced by problems small or great. We cannot, associate? a pair of birds with the difliculties of home lessons, with the exasperation of being unable to gel. the correct answer to a sum, or with that little daily task that sometimes seems to become overwhelmingly great. However, let the child go for a walk to get some, clean seeds for its birds and the unpleasantness of ten minutes ago is completely forgotten. Attention to the daily needs cultivates concentration, attention to detail, cleanliness, and, above all. teaches one to anticipate the needs of the future. Naturally, the discipline necessary m exhibiting birds at shows is of great benefit to a child. How to take a beating like a gentleman is quickly learned. Association with other juvenile bird fanciers and hearing their points of \ iew, will teach humbleness in expressing an opinion and respect for the knowledge of others. The youthful avjculturist will learn not to be always offering his opinion, ljut be taught to cultivate the capacity to listen attentively to others whose knowledge i. J probably far deeper than his own. All of these benefits ran be derived by juniors if encouraged by their elders to become genuine aviculturists.

Letters requesting; information regarding the care of cage birds will be answered in this column each week. Readers are invited to write to Tailfeathers, New Zealand Herald Office, Auckland.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS "Goliiie," Dairy Flat. —Goldfinch: Leave the birds until they arc almost ready to fly. A mixture of hard-boiled egg and wine biscuit would probably bo satisfactory, but it would be better to use one of the scientifically prepared biscuit rearing fjoo'ds on the market. They should be fed every two hours, bonked, crushed hemp and soaked niger seed should be the first seeds offered to them. It is extremely difficult to determine the sexes, but you could tie guided by tho size of the head, the larger and bolder being that of the cock bird. By the way, the use of a little glass syringe or a glass handifecder will make your work much easier. "Eager Breeder," I'apakt.ra.—Budgerigar: The best time to start breeding budgerigars is toward the end of August or the beginning of September if the breeding season is late. This enables you to take the second and lust nest in November. You should get a few greywing progeny and (tie balance blue. When a pair of budgerigars feed each other (usually it is the cock feeding the hen) that is a sure sign of an inclination to breed. A nest should be available as soon as ever the cock starts feeding, and, within ten days, tho first egg should appear. It is too late to start, breeding now.

P. 0., Hamilton. —Canary: Will be pleased to send you a pamphlet giving information as it is too long for a normal reply. In the meantime, give the parents threo times a day a little, yolk ot egg mixed with a canary rearing food such as one of the proprietary mixtures obtainable from most bird shops. "Budgerigar." Matamatu.—Budgerigar: A nest in a small, wooden box or in a coconut husk is the usual one for budgerigars. The coconut which you mention is entirely removed and tin' nest i-i made of the rough fibre surrounding the hard shell The ordinary coconut is too small and does not give the young sufficient room to grow. In all good seed mixtures there is a proportion of good quality white millet seed and hulled outs, but these two should be increased when young are in the nest and for 11 few weeks after the youngsters are independent. In my opinion, budgerigars do not need soaked seed, but, if you are desirous of trying it. soak the seed for twenty-four hours in two rhanges of water and flien lightly dry it with a cloth. Unless carefully used, soaked seed is liable to go sour. Seed soaked with cod liver oil should always be given in moderation lo these birds. If you run two cock birds with one hen, one cock bird is almost certain to be killed by the other two. For preference, remove I lie cock you do not want to breed from before yon introduce the ben lo llie other, otherwise her choice may not lie yours.

"Cobnll," Onetangi. Hwlgerigßrt Young silver beet is one of (he very nest green foods you rnn offer. If the bird is about three inontlis old, lu' would now lie commencing his first moult. Hoe that your l>ird in put out, in light rain, as this will improve his plumage. C.8., Parnell. —Rudgerigar: There could bo several cause* for your bird losing the use of its leys. The only one which can easily be remedied is constipation. For this give the bird two or three drops of castor oil and the following day the same quantity of olive oil. Jf this docs not cure it, it would be kindness to painlessly put it out of the way. R.L., AVestmere. —Canary: The probable cause of the trouble is the age of your hen and her over-fat condition. It is too late to try to breed now, but this coining winter you could give her a slimming course and pair her up toward the end of September. "Peter," Waikato Hospital.—Budgerigar: It is possible that, tho trouble is caused by a new punched bar and wire cage soldered together, and a certain quantity of spirits of salt used in its construction not removed. Remedy—wash the cage in hot, soapy It is possible that thn bird has some catarrhal infection, and consequently discharging from the nostrils. Remedy—wipe the nostrils with a weak solution of menthol. Look at the eyelids and, if they arc slightly swollen and soiiip of tin- feathers surrounding the eye missing, this will be an infectious eye disease which can be cured b.v liberal washings with a strong folutiou of boracic acid. Would be pleassd to know bow the bird eventually prosper#.