The handbook of foreign birds in colour: their care in cage and aviary

253 Pages·1977·8.23 MB·English

by  Abram Rutgers

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THE HANDBOOK OF

FOREIGN BIRDS

IN COLOUR
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Their Care in Cage and Aviary
By A. RUTGERS
English Edition
edited by K. A. Norris
BLANDFORD PRESS
LONDON
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© 1964 Blandford Press Ltd.
167 High Holbom, London W.C.I.
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From material in
Tropisebe Voliere Vogels
by A. Rutgers, published by
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Littera Scripta Manet, Joppc, Holland.
(Copyright—all rights reserved.)
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Colour printed in photogravure by D. H. Greaves Ltd., Scarborough
Text printed and books bound
in Great Britain by Richard Clay and Company, Ltd.,
Bungay, Suffolk
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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION page 5
1 ACCOMMODATION 6
The Outside Flight 6
Cages 13
The Bird Room 15
2 THE FURNISHING OF CAGE AND AVIARY 16
Perches 16
Nesting Facilities 17
Food Utensils 18
Baths 20
3 SUITABLE SHRUBS AND OTHER PLANTS 20
4 WINTER ACCOMMODATION 25
5 OBTAINING THE BIRDS 27
6 MIXED COLLECTIONS 30
7 FOODS 32
Cultivation of Canary Seed and Millet 41
Live Food 44
8 FEEDING AND HAND-REARING YOUNG BIRDS 51
9 BREEDING IN CAGES OR AVIARIES 54
10 COLOUR MUTATIONS AND HYBRIDIZING 57
11 SICKNESS AND TREATMENT 58
Modern Medicines 63
12 ILLUSTRATED PAGES 64
13 DESCRIPTIONS AND CARE OF THE BIRDS 129
appendix A: The Zebra Finch and its Mutations 243
INDEX OF ENGLISH NAMES 252
INDEX OF LATIN NAMES 257
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The illustrations in colour by Mr. Jeremy McCabe were photo­
graphed by arrangement with:
The Zoological Gardens, Regent’s Park, London.
Bleak Hall Bird Farm, Woburn, Beds.
Mr. Drury, “Oakfields”, Stapleford Abbotts, Essex.
ii Mr. K. A. Norris.
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The illustrations in colour by Mr. Alec Brooksbank were photo­
graphed at the Keston Foreign Bird Farm, Keston, Kent.
A special acknowledgment is made to Mr. K. A. Norris, the editor
of this edition, for preparing the book for the English reader, and
writing additional descriptions.
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INTRODUCTION
Man has always found interest and pleasure in domestic pets.
Birds have proved an especial source of delight to many people.
As long ago as 284 b.c., Kallixenus describes in the Chronicles of
Alexandria how parrots were carried in processions, and Alexander
the Great had the distinction of being the first to import Indian
Ring-necked Parrakeets (Psittacula krameri manillensis) into Europe.
He saw them in India and took them back to Greece.
Today there are a vast number of bird keepers and fanciers all over
the world. Fortunately bird keeping is now carried out under much
happier conditions with spacious aviaries largely replacing restricted
cages. The Zoological Gardens show the birds under excellent
conditions, where they are kept healthy and with safeguards against
disease, and where they are able to fly freely and live in natural
conditions, supplied with the right food and enjoying sunlight and
air. These are necessities which must be provided by everyone who
keeps these delightful creatures.
In nature, the more intimate details of bird life are unseen, and
only the most persistent bird watcher is able to obtain a glimpse of
them. But in a well-arranged cage or aviary everyone can see and study
the habits of the birds.
Most of the birds described in this book are kept in pairs, possibly
with other different species, but always in such a way that their
natural life can be developed to the full—so that nests can be built
and families raised. Others may be kept solely because they make
such excellent pets. In these cases less emphasis is laid on the bird
life than on the bird companionship.
The more experienced bird fancier will miss certain species from
this book, but it is written mainly for those whose knowledge is
elementary and who need a guide to the care of the birds so that the
risk of losses, which otherwise may be considerable, is reduced to a
minimum. Unnecessary disappointments might well bring to a prema­
ture end a ‘hobby* which was started with enthusiasm.
. Shows held annually all over the country not only arouse and
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stimulate interest in the hobby, but also provide an opportunity to
if study the birds and obtain information regarding the best methods of
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housing and treatment. The breeding of new colour varieties and
types is also encouraged.
As in all hobbies, personal taste plays a large part in the setting up
and furnishing of a cage or aviary. It is possible to employ experts,
but a great satisfaction lies in the ‘do it yourself’ making of cages and
aviaries. Some designs which have proved satisfactory are outlined.
Nomenclature is difficult. In the basic scientific nomenclature
(generally Latin, sometimes Greek) and occasionally in native names,
: continual research necessitates frequent changes. Hence names
which are correct today may change by tomorrow. Throughout this
book the scientific name has been used, together with the English
name in common use. This should help to avoid confusion, and many
synonyms have also been included.
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i. ACCOMMODATION
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The Outside Flight
As it is not easy to provide suitable accommodation for many
birds indoors, most varieties are housed in the garden. This is best for
the birds, if precautions are taken to protect them from cold winds
and a shelter is provided which can, when necessary, be heated in
winter.
An aviary can be built as a lean-to extension to the house and a full j
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view of it obtained from indoors. Some aviaries take up the whole
of the garden, and it is a glorious sight to watch the birds flying in
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full freedom, nesting perhaps in the ivy covering the fence, and with
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i young life in bush and shrub. The birds will be perfectly safe, for all
over the flight wires are stretched to keep out cats and other predators.
Flights which take up all the garden are, of course, exceptional, but ;
the sunny side of a small back garden may be turned into an aviary.
The size and design of the aviary will depend on the garden, and it
may be planned imaginatively, taking care to ensure that it is practical
and safe. It is a good plan to build against a wall facing south; if the
wall is overgrown the birds will appreciate it for nesting purposes.
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Here is a simple two-compartment aviary (Fig. 1). Planted with
shrubs and climbers, it can be made most attractive.
The shelter has doors at the back and can, if necessary, have a con­
necting door to the flight. If it is desired to enter the shelter, the trap
to the aviary should be closed, and the birds shut outside. Most
people like a larger shelter and it is advisable to add a wire netting-
covered porch (as illustrated) through which entry can be effected.
Only with such a safety passage can one be certain that the birds
cannot escape.
The birds will enter the shelter only if there is sufficient light, so
large windows at the top, front, and side are necessary. On the inside
of the windows should be fitted a wire-mesh-covered frame which
can be fastened in position with bolts or buttons; the windows must
be cleaned on the inside so the frame should be readily detachable.
The mesh prevents accident caused by birds taking fright and flying
against the glass, and prevents the birds escaping if the glass is broken.
The bob hole between the shelter and flight should be sufficiently
large, as some birds will never become accustomed to a small en­
trance. It is wise to have the door constructed so that it can be