OUR NATIVE BIRDS. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10034, 27 April 1894, Page 3

OUR NATIVE BIRDS. TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, —I am pleased to see that our native birds are greatly appreciated by your correspondent "Ti T.f and in reply to the quesflon as to whether I foally believe the bellbird and tui would breed in confinement, 1 diust reply I dertainly do believe it—conditionally, that is, if a lafge avairy is made, enclosing a few small trees or shrubs, and placed against a sunny wail with no draughts and plenty of shelter from N.W., S.W., and S. winds, and good healthy young birds placed in it and properly fed, say two females and one male. They certainly would breed, and their progeny also, it so treated. I have not bred them, but what makes me so confident about it is the fact that as a lad I took at night a female bellbird, nest and young ones, and placed the lot in a large cage and fed the female with flies, spiders, insects, chopped meat, honey, sugar and water, berries, &c. She in her turn led her young aad reared them, and was quite cheerful with her family in confinement, The male bird found out where she

was, and cade often to sing in the vicinity. She on these occasions got very excited and often tried to get away, but soon took aj;aiu to feeding her young. Tha young birds and the female were kept by me for fotir or five Months and then liberated, as I had to attend to work in the city an i could not feed them properly or procure food when so occupied. It roust bo remembered niy birds were only caged, add throve bo well that all could sing before they were liberated.

As to fuchsias of native species growing in an aviary, they would do so only too well. The best species would be tho trailing or climbing ones. Of these, there is a common, one along the coast with large flowers and black berries, and then there is a choice climbing species, known as; Fuchsia kirkii" in the catalogues. This has a small flower and large bright < pink berries the size of a cherry. These berries , remain on the plant for many months and are much prized for their beautiful colour. Plants in pots are sold by Mr Matthews at It 6d each by his price list before me.

Trusting I have given all necessary information.—l am, &c.J

Dunedin, April 23. Apabata ISknata,