‘THE FOREIGNER', 1934
SUMMER, although the time of greatest interest for the aviculturist, is also the time of the greatest anxiety and usually of the highest death-rate (). Where a mixed collection are housed together there is need forbelieve that birds are fond of company. There are exceptions, certainly, but the average cock bird when breeding appreciates no company but that of his mate. (“where they make a desert, they call it peace“) is usually his motto and murder may be his method. The assassination of recently fledged young by their parents is another danger to be guarded against, particularly in the case of jays, pies and large and medium-sized softbills. With finches, other than cardinals, the problem fortunately less often arises and parakeets usually give their owner fair warning, red-rumps and many colours needing to be watched the most carefully.
