BIRDS AS HEALERS

Taranaki Daily News, 7 September 1935, Page 21 (Supplement)

BIRDS AS HEALERS

MENTAL PATIENTS BENEFIT. BLESSINGS OF AVICULTURE. It may come as a surprise to many to know that aviculture is being of material benefit to many of the inmates of the Auckland Mental Hospital, states Mr. G. Rowland Hutchinson in the sixth bulletin of the Aviculture Society. The matron, who is a member of the society, has been taking a personal interest in aviculture and has aviaries of birds of the more common kinds in four different parts of the institution. When sufferers are admitted for observation they live in quarters facing a large aviary containing different coloured budgerigars, Java sparrows and-zebra finches. It gives them something to watch and occupies their minds, and is of material benefit in the treatment of their complaint. The principal aviary, however, is one in full view of the really chronic cases. These unfortunates, some of whom • are really great sufferers and have not noticed anything for years, have been observed watching the birds intently. Tire quickness of the Pekin robin flying around, the antics of the budgerigars, th'e penny-trumpet call of the zebra finch, and the splash of colour of weavers and wydahs, all assist in bringing to life faculties which have lain dormant for years.

During a recent visit io the hospital Mr. Hutchinson was informed of the unmistakeable improvement in the condition of some of the worst sufferers, owing to their faculties being reawakened by the birds. Truly, Mr. Hutchinson states, aviculture has many uses and is, at present, a blessing to many sufferei-s. In the courtyai'd, which is overlooked by quarters of many chronic patients, it is hoped in time to erect a large aviary 100 feet in length by 12 feet wide. So optimistic concernerning the benefits derived from aviculture are the authorities that they have already planted this area and at one end built a lily pond with a rustic bridge. Ultimately it is hoped to enclose the whole of this area with wire netting.