Old World Sparrows & Related \\7eavers (Passer and Petronia)

byJosefLindholm. 11/ Keeper/Birds Fort Worth Zoological Park f the various emotions engen­ have been so successful that, during a (where a man was "hired to watch Odered by birds, hatred is not four-day visit to the city, I did not see a them") in 1853 (Ibid. 1966). The next usually the first that comes to mind. single sparrow nor any other wild three decades are one of the sorriest The genus Passer, however, includes bird." Dr. Travnicek (1986) notes, "As episodes in American aviculture. As two species which became objects of communication and dialect are two of George Laycock (1966), in a detailed violent animosity. China's great and current problems, in essay, relates, "For a decade or more, During the tumultuous Cultural the people's confusion and zeal to European bird dealers were con­ Revolution of the People's Republic of please their beloved Chairman, many fronted with eager Americans who China in the 1960s and '70s, along wild birds were destroyed." It appears came with faith, hope and money, with wall posters and protest signs there was a corresponding rise in determined to purchase Europe's advocating the downfall of Burgoise insect pests, whose depredations on songbirds as their contributions to Capitalism and Yankee Imperialist agriculture were worse than that of bringing beauty to the new world." A Hegemony, there were often ones their former predators. At any rate, typical case cited by Laycock (1966) exhorting The People to "kill rats, Chinese ornithologists now appear to was a Mr. L.H. Smith of Strathroy, flies, and sparrows!" Of course, spar­ be having some success with "Love Ontario, who, in 1874, was sent six rows were one of the "seven plagues" the Bird" campaigns. pairs of House Sparrows by a "New identified by the Great Helmsman The targets of all this proletarian York bird dealer" who charged the himself, Chairman Mao (Travnicek wrath were Tree Sparrows Passer then extravagant sum of one dollar 1986) which enabled one to demon­ montanus. This species, which in pre­ per bird. In 1887, dead House Spar­ strate one's standing as a good com­ revolutionary China was a frequent rows for pot pies were "a dollar a munist and patriot by eliminating as subject of paintings and was an enor­ hundred on the Albany, New York, many as he or she could. mously popular cage-bird despite its market" (Laycock 1966). In 1886, Mr. My pious auntie, Marian Fang being "as common in Peking as our Smith wrote to the U.S. Government [Lindholm is of Swedish and Chinese English Sparrow is in London or Paris" Ornithologist W.B. Barrows, "If all the descent], would pray in her room and (Delacour 1928), has a vast range sparrows in our town are mine, and sing hymns to drown out the regularly across Europe and Asia. In 1870 and my neighbors all say they are, then I scheduled cacophony of everyone 1879, Tree Sparrows were released in have at least plenty for my money ... else on the block banging pots and St. Louis, and more than a century They are now in thousands in our pans and setting off firecrackers to later "possibly 25,000" remain in the town, and are plentiful in every frighten the Evil Birds into firing surrounding areas of Missouri and Illi­ town, city and village in this part of range. Uncle Peter, then Concert Mas­ nois (Terres 1980). Though they do Ontario ..." (Laycock 1966). ter of the Shanghai Symphony and visit "grain fields to eat some wheat, L.H. Smith's letter to W.B. Barrows thus having no occasion to otherwise oats and corn" (Ibid. 1980), their small was in response to the latter's investi­ use air-rifles, always shot well over his numbers have prevented them from gation in 1886, on behalf of the U.S. minimum quota to ensure that Big attaining the infamy that led to their Department of Agriculture, as to Sister would not get in trouble at the destruction in China. whether English Sparrows were really next neighborhood brigade meeting The failure of the Tree Sparrow to a problem (Laycock 1966). In re­ when they tallied up the kill. Children spread beyond the environs of St. sponse to the 5,000 surveys he sent all were required to bring dead sparrows Louis and east St. Louis is most likely over the continent, he got 3,330 to school; I heard a recent NPR inter­ due to the arrival in that area "around answers. Typical responses included, view with Nien Cheng, whose 1987 1875" (Terres 1980) of Passer domes­ "It strips down green corn in the fields book Life and Death in Shanghai tica, the House (or English) Sparrow, ... ," "I had a variety ofwheat which I details exactly how much trouble she another species found throughout was growing for seed and they took got into during the Cultural Revolution Europe as well as central Asia and every grain," and " ... in buying - her daughter went to school with India. The first attempt to establish this chicken feed, I allow two parts for the sparrows that "Cook" bought at the species in America, by the Brooklyn sparrows and one for the chickens" market. Institute (now a major art museum) in (Ibid. 1966). And, even before The results of these programs were 1851, ended in failure (only 16 were this U.S.D.A. investigation, the effects such that when Professor ].R. Hodges imported) (Laycock 1966). The Insti­ of House Sparrows on native passer­ (1988), Chairman of the Council of the tute then brought in a large shipment ines was causing increasing alarm. Avicultural Society visited China he from Liverpool, releasing some right Laycock (966) cites early observa­ reported, "The efforts of the Chinese off the boat in 1852, and the rest "on tions of the displacement of Purple authorities to rid Beijing of sparrows the grounds of Greenwood Cemetery" Martins and other species and, of

afa WATCHBIRD 39 The Golden Sparrow is still often listed in its own genusAuripasser, but the American consensus, at least now, appears to be that it belongs in the genus Passer. course, today the House Sparrow's Cape of Good Hope in the days now prohibits it. In pet stores, the Gol­ threat to all three species of bluebirds before the Suez Canal.) den Sparrow has always been fairly through conlpetition for nesting sites Six of these species have avicultural inexpensive, but never especially is well known. By the 1880s, all sorts histories, and one has been conlmer­ common, certainly not at the level of of externlination efforts were in effect cially imported in large numbers. abundance of Red-eared and Orange­ (Laycock 1966) with obviously little, if None of these will be of future con­ cheeked Waxbills, Paradise Whydahs any, long-term results. Apparently cern to most California aviculturists as, or Red Bishops in the days before the there are many places in the U.S. with quite a variety of other Passeri­ Newcastle's Disease restrictions where House Sparrows are less com­ form birds, no n1embers of the genus inlposed in 1972. Despite the fact that mon than they were at the turn of the Passer can be maintained in captivity it is one of the very few largely yellow century, but this has to do with the in that state without a permit usually wild birds available to American avi­ transition fronl horsepower to electric given only to zoos, registered sup­ culturists, its unsuitability for inclusion and conlbustion engine modes of pliers or researchers. in community aviaries has made it transport, with the resulting dis­ Due to the intricacies of taxonomy, unacceptable to a great many people appearance of n1anure in the street one species was sold quite legally in who might otherwise be interested. (the Chinese name for "Sparrow" California into the '90s, and quite a After more than 30 years, Finches translates as "Horse Bird."). few remain in private possession of and Soft-billed Birds by Henry Bates In light of the notoriety of P. mon­ individuals who are quite unaware and Robert Busenbark (1963) remains, tanus and P. domesticus} it may ~ome their birds are prohibited. The Golden in my opinion, the standard work for as a surprise that Passer is a predomi­ Sparrow Passer luteus was, for years, Americans on finches in aviculture nantly African genus, 10 of the 19 placed in the genus Auripasser (Latin and continues to be reprinted. Bates species naturally breeding there. (The for "Golden Sparrow"). Some ornitho­ and Busenbark operated a retail shop Indian subspecies of the House Spar­ logists continue to maintain this dis­ in Palo Verdes, near Los Angeles, and row is now a common bird in south­ tinction. In America, however, this birds fronl every commercial source ern Africa, probably descended fron1 bird is generally considered a Passer) passed through their hands, giving "stow-aways" on ships rounding the and as such the State of California them an encolupassing overview of

40 July / Augu t 1994 the bird trade of the 1950s and '60s. times in succession, and, even when While falling sholt of Chairman Mao's no ant's eggs or mealworms are avail­ opinions regarding Tree Sparrows, able, they usually rear their young ... their remarks on the Golden Sparrow with greenstuff, soft food and soaked are nonetheless unexpected in a book seed." These same authorities state on cage-birds, "In all honesty, this is that these birds "usually breed in nest­ one species which the writers try to boxes. They fill the whole of the avoid. Regardless of the extreme inside with blades of grass and thin specializing in: affection which they feel for many twigs, and generally provide the nest Caiques birds, the writers hold the Golden with a short tunnel entrance." In Sparrow in a category of complete marked contrast to Bates and Busen­ also indifference." Bates and Busenbark bark (1963), Rutgers et al. (1977) con­ (1963) recommend keeping this bird sider Golden Sparrows to be "good Australian King "only with larger and more aggressive cage or aviary birds" that can "be kept Parrots weavers, Java Rice Birds, Cutthroats, with smaller finches," and mention and birds of similar size and disposi­ nothing of their aggression. This tion." I have it on very good authority discrepancy may possibly be due to (818) 703-1112 that Golden Sparrows will kill other the fact that Americans have tradition­ Ralph Lima birds, especially when breeding. ally been more likely to crowd their P.O. Box 6496 However, they don't always. aviaries than continental Europeans Woodland Hills, CA 91365 J.J. Walsh (1970), in Drouin, Vic­ (Rutgers is Dutch). This may also toria, Australia, bred Golden Sparrows explain the further divergence of in a "fully planted" aviary 40' x 18' x 9' Bates and Busenbark (1963) stating high, with a variety of other birds, that this species "is not a good breeder The Avicultural Society unspecified except for a breeding pair in captivity." of America, Inc., of Green Singing Finches. He men­ I know of at least two aviculturists Welcomes new members. tions no aggression against other currently propagating this species in birds, though his pair, obtained in the U.S. D. Grenville Roles, well 1968 while still in juvenile plumage, known to readers of AFA Watchbird, "chattered and complained" every is not only Curator of the Tracy Aviary time he approached to feed after at Salt Lake City, but also maintains entering the aviary. Thus prompted to quite a varied collection of his own. investigate, he found "a large untidy He breeds Golden Sparrows indoors Founded 1927 nest erected in some Tea-tree hung in in his basement, where he has found We publtsh a monthly bulletin on all the shelter." "The huge nest structure them rather dangerous to other birds. aspects of aviculture. For member­ appeared to be camouflage for the He was quite successful in 1993, to the ship information please contact: Helen Hanson, (909) 780-4 J02, ASA, small nest cavity in the centre reserved point of advertising surplus speci­ Inc., P.O. Box 5516, Riverside, CA for the eggs." Three weeks after this ·mens. Grenville has assured me he 92517. Yearly dues $20. Foreign discovery, "two chicks fledged from will publish an account of his work members please add $5.00 to cover the nest, after loud chirping from the with the bird. Eduard J. Hamilton, postage (U.S. funds only). nest during the week which had pre­ who, as founder and owner of South ceded their flight." Both eventually American Enterprises, holds permits assumed the female plumage, with to keep injurious wildlife in California, OUR 50TH BIRDMART most of the yellow replaced by dull has set up outdoor aviaries near San EVERYBODY'S brown or grayish-white, and wings Diego for quite a variety of African that are a duller brown than the finches in anticipation of the possible male's. In 1969, the pair fledged five cessation of their importation. Under BIRD MART chicks, all surviving. Aside from Mrs. these circumstances, Ed has not had November 27, 1994 H. Williams' 1905 account of her suc­ major problems with Golden Sparrow L.A. County Fairplex Bldg. #4 cess a year before, cited by Coles aggression. He has bred Golden Pomona, California (1987) as the first British breeding, Sparrows repeatedly and, as I write in 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Walsh's (1970) article is the only de­ May 1994, has a new clutch of young Admission: $4, Youths 5-15: $1 tailed discussion, so far as I'm aware, in the nest. The Bird Mart has become the of Golden Sparrows over the near­ It is again, I believe, due to this marketplace for buyers and sellers. century of the AviculturalMagazine's species' aggression and its "trashy" BIRDS • CAGES • FEEDERS • NESTBOXES publication. Mr. Walsh does not reputation that there has not been any VITAMINS • SEED. PERCHES. GIFT ITEMS PARKING $4.00 mention what food he provides his particularly sustained zoo propaga­ Use White Ave. parking lot birds, though one can well imagine tion. Over the period of 1959 through (Tram service from parking lot to building G) there were all SOlts of "supplements" 1989, eight institutions, five of them a division of J. Williams Financial Services Inc. to be found in an outdoor "wilder­ American, hatched at least 26 chicks, P.O. Box 794. Acton, CA 93510 ness" avialy in Australia. fully rearing at least 13 (Zoological (805) 269-0424 According to Rutgers et al. (1977), Society of London 1961-1991). The Golden Sparrows may "breed several most sustained program was the The Original, The #1 Bird Mart

afa WATCHI3lRD 4] breeding of an unspecified number, Sparrows "almost as freely as others However, this last decade of the 20th from 1961 through 1963, at the do Budgerigars", and in 1910 alone century has been full of surprising and 1 research facility of the University of reared 13 young. Thus, I think it's unanticipated alterations to the inter­ Tel Aviv. The San Diego Zoo bred an fairly obvious that, while we still have national scene. One that was largely i unspecified number in 1962 and a sufficient stock in this country, Ameri­ overlooked was the secession of male and female in 1964. Milwaukee can aviculturists have the choice of Eritrea from Ethiopia, after years of reared a male in 1976 and three males establishing this bird or letting it bloody warfare, in 1993. This new in 1977. The Seneca Park Zoo in become a memory. It all depends on country lies on the shore of the Red Rochester, New York reared two what we want. Sea. What Eritrea's policies on wildlife unsexed birds in 1976 and one male in The eastern subspecies of the export will be remains to be seen. But, 1978. These are the only collections to Golden Sparrow Passer luteus at any rate, there is now a new range have hatched Golden Sparrows in two euchlorus is quite distinct. While the ofpossibilities. different years. western, nominate subspecies has a Like the Golden Sparrow, separated As of 31 December 1993, five U.S. brown mantle and wings, the eastern out as Auripasser, the Chestnut Spar­ zoos were listed by ISIS (1994) as subspecies is the same yellow color row Passer eminibey has, at times, holding Golden Sparrows. None had on the mantle as is its head and under­ been placed in its own genus, Sorel/a. bred them in 1993. ISIS indicates that parts, with largely yellow wings as As far as I know, it is also the only at least 12% of the 26 specimens are well, making it one of the overall other African Passer to be bred in the captive-bred. The largest group is at yellowest of wild birds. Traditionally U.S., and the only other one currently the San Diego Zoo; nine males and called the Arabian Golden Sparrow, maintained in this country, or at all eight females were held there. Other­ this bird falls into the scope of this dis­ likely to be imported in the near wise there were three each at Wichita cussion as it occurs not only in south­ future. P. eminibey honors a most and the San Diego Wild Animal Park, ern Saudi Arabia and Yemen, but also remarkable figure in the history of a pair at Kansas City, and one male at the African Red Sea coast as well. This African exploration. Born Eduard the Gene Ried Zoo in Tucson. subspecies has a reputation of being Schnitzer, in 1840, in what was then Thus far, I have discussed Passer "distinctly more peaceful" than its Oppeln (in the German province of luteus luteus, the Western Golden western relative (Rutgers et al. 1977). I Silesia) and is now the Polish city of Sparrow. The vast range of this sub­ do not know if this subspecies was Opole, he took the name Mehmed species extends from Mauritania ever imported into the United States. Emin, became fluent in Turkish, Ara­ (partially bordered by the northern Emilius Hopkinson (1926) found no bic and Farsee and, so the Encyclope­ Atlantic), across the African continent, breeding record for the United King­ dia Brittanica tells us, "adopted a through the Sudan to interior Ethiopia. dom, but cites the German authority Turkish mode of liVing," while in the This great swath is "mainly between Neunzig to the effect that between service of the Ottoman governor of the 15th and 18th parallels" (Serle 1880 and the First World War, the northern Albania in the early 1870s, et al. 1977), with the result that the Arabian Golden Sparrow was "often having joined the Turkish Army as a Golden Sparrow is not found in bred" in Germany. The former pres­ medical officer in 1865. In 1876, he Ghana. It is thus not listed in CITES ence of this bird in European avicul­ went to work for the British in the Appendix III (which, as I've explained ture is, of course, due to the fact that, Sudan, first as a medical officer at elsewhere (Lindholm 1994), is the before air-freight, the Suez Canal was Khartoum, then, from 1878 to 1889, as case for most of the traditionally the essential route from India and the governor of the southern province of imported African finches). Therefore, Far East to Europe and England, mak­ Equatoria. Graduating in rank from its commercial import to the U.S. is not ing the African Red Sea ports busy and Effendi to Bey to Pasha, he conducted prohibited (as it would be, under the important places. The Arabian Golden extensive biological surveys, went on terms of the Wild Bird Conservation Sparrow continued to appear in diplomatic missions to Uganda, and Act of 1992, if it were on any CITES aviculture into the 1950s, and Rutgers ended slavery in his province. As a Appendix). However, since practically et al. (1977) summarize the 1956 testament to his administration, when all the "more desirable" species which breeding of B. Mullard, of Camberly, the Mahdist uprising wiped out Khar­ might otherwise make up a shipment England. A pair was kept in an aviary toum and the British abandoned the coming out of Senegal or Mali are pro­ with Pekin Robins, Green Singing Sudan in 1884, Emin Pasha continued hibited, I doubt anyone would go to Finches (this seems to be a good com­ to govern Equatoria, totally cut off the trouble of bringing in consign­ bination) and Dominican Cardinals. from the English, and apparently did ments composed largely of a species The sparrows built a nest of "grass, very well - until 1888, when none with so bad a reputation. moss and cow hair" and laid four other than Henry Mortimer Stanley Contrary to Bates and Busenbark's eggs. The young were reared with (who seemed to be in the habit of (963) statement that the Golden Spar­ mealworms as the only live food, the "finding" people who hadn't thought row is "not a good breeder in captiv­ other food being canary seed, and they were lost) showed up with a ity," the most emminent of avicultural yellow and white millet. A second small army to "rescue" him. Emin historians, Emilius Hopkinson (926) clutch was laid about six weeks later, Pasha didn't think he needed rescu­ provides several examples of the follOWing the successful fledging of ing, but the arrival of all these people potential the western subspecies has the first chicks. with guns created such a stir that he ofbeing prolific. In particular, he cites, Up to this time, the likelihood of had to pack up and leave. He and from Bird Notes, the case of a Mr. Arabian Golden Sparrows arriving in Stanley arrived in Tanganyika after a Suggitt, in Britain, who bred Golden this country has been remote. It still is. nine-month trek, and then he went to 42 July / August 1994 work for the Germans. He didn't get three. The other pair eventually reared along well with his Vaterland, how­ two young but they had a lot of clear ever, and left to explore the Congo eggs. The incubation period was 18 to AFA Waichbird advertisers free state in 1891, where he was 19 days." represent some ofthe best in killed a year later by Arab slave traders These birds were supplied with a the business. When you buy (who never forgot what he did in "mixture of white millet, panicum mil­ from these fine sources, be Equatoria). let and canary seeds" supplemented sure to tell themyou sawtheir At any rate, Emin was obviously still with "hard-boiled eggs mashed and ad in Watchbird! a Bey when he sent preserved speci­ mixed with chick crumbs ... fed all mens of what would be described as the year round." Although Mr. Passer eminibey from the Sudan to the Brooker (986) supplied mealworms German ornithologist Hartlaub. (Quite "during the spring and summer," he a number of the animals he sent to never saw his Chestnut Sparrows eat Europe were described in his honor; a them though he believes they proba­ subspecies of D'Arnaud's Barbet and a bly did. He supposed they found Giant Rat come to mind.) The Sudan is "many insects" among the plants. the western frontier of the Chestnut Despite the fairly small size of his Emerald Forest Sparrow's distribution, which other­ aviaries, he had no problem keeping Bird Gardens wise includes Ethiopia, Uganda, "waxbills" with his sparrows, though 45 wooded acres, streams, Kenya and Tanzania. Though first the breeding Chestnuts did guard the ponds, and tropical gardens imported to Germany in 1913 (Rutgers top and perch of their nest boxes. devoted to propagation et al. 1977), this bird has only infre­ Brooker (986) wrote he was setting of exotic birds. Breeding Toucans • Toucanettes • Tanagers quently appeared in aviculture, and up potential unrelated pairs of pro­ Mot Mots • Touracos • Cockatoos. Macaws the earliest breeding record of which I geny, but I have not heard since of Amazons • Eclectus • African Greys am aware is that for the Natal Zoologi­ further activities. The Swedish avicul­ Pionus • Cranes. Waterfowl • Flamingos cal Gardens in Amanzimtoti, South turist Mats Tell (990) reared two All Birds Closed Banded Africa, far to the south of its natural Chestnut Sparrows in 1989. Distributorfor Foster Parrot Brooders range, in 1966. Three males and two There is one unusual feature of Call or write for price list. Jerry Jennings females were fully reared that year, Allen Brooker's (986) breeding of and that is all the International Zoo Passer eminibey. Both his cocks (619) 728-2226 Yearbook (Zoological Society of Lon­ retained their solidly rich chestnut Route 6, Box 14, Fallbrook, CA 92028 don 1968) reports. head, mantle and underpalts through­ Visitors by appointment only There is one detailed, published out the year, instead of molting into an account of a captive breeding of the eclipse plumage identical to the Chestnut Sparrow, documenting the female's, streaky and "sparrow-like." first British breeding. Allan Brooker It appears the Chestnut Sparrow is the A real treat for your birds! (986) purchased a male and two only Passer to assume an eclipse (,~D~.L.. females, recently imported from Tan­ plumage (Williams and Arlott 1980), Macadamia NVTS'?'~ zania, in the summer of 1984. They lending possible credance to its ,. Nuts ~ CAlifORNIA CROWN T CalifornIa grown. were placed in a planted avialy 7-1/2' belonging in its own genus Sorel/a. It from grower to you. wide, 15' long and 8' high, with a is possible that the "PVC roofs" of Raw -In Shell "PVC roof," which they shared with a Brooker's aviaries (which I infer to No salt. no chemIcals. •• • .. no preservatives "collection of waxbills." Losing the have been out-of-doors) may be the 50 lb. mInimum male over the winter, he purchased factor responsible for this. at $1.50 per lb. ~ plus shIppIng two more in May 1985. ow haVing At any rate, Ed Hamilton, who, by TASTE C.O.D. ACCEfTfABLE two pairs, he set one up in an adjoin­ permit, maintains three breeding pairs THE DIFFERENCE Call 1-800-344-6887 ing aviary of identical dimensions. Mr. in a planted outdoor avialy (30' long, Gold Crown Macadamia Assoc. Brooker records, "There was a lot of 14' wide and 8' high) in San Diego P.o. Box 235. Fallbrook. CA 92088-0235 chattering, typical of English Spar­ County, tells me his males undergo an rows, and almost immediately interest eclipse much like that of a Ploceus or was shown in the nest boxes of which Euplectes weaver, commencing in there were three, measuring 6 x 4 x 4 August. Hamilton's pairs have collec­ GOLDEN inches ... , in each aviary, of the same tively produced around 20 offspring shape as a Budgerigar nest box." He from 1991. Like Brooker's (986) CONURES continues, "The birds quickly filled all birds, they are not palticularly depen­ White Bellied six boxes with velY fine grasses and dent on livefood while rearing their hundreds of feathers. Each hen laid chicks, nests are built in "regular Caiques three eggs, which were bluish-white wooden finch nest boxes," and the Followill Aviaries covered with brown speckles, and only aggression displayed towards A Closed Aviary' within three weeks of buying the cage-mates is the protection of the SpeciaLOng in the Queen ofBavaria's Conure cocks, one pair had two young but the nest. Please call for free information package other pair's eggs were clear. The two Should the Chestnut Sparrow be Dave Followill (407) 773-7571 chicks were reared and then another definitely recognized as belonging not

afa WATCH BIRD 43 to Passer, but to Sorel/a, it should Passer jagoensis benguellensis" and and gray. It is a "very common" bird automatically go off the California were thus southern African, were throughout most of southern Africa, prohibited list. Whether or not this released in one of his "very large, including the southern part of Bot­ happens, aviculturists in other states wired-in enclosures through which swana, and is "tame and confiding" should attempt to establish this pro­ streams flowed and vegetation grew (Newman 1983). The fact that all lific and uniquely attractive bird, luxuriantly and where his birds would Passer are banned for private posses­ which may continue to arrive in the be in practically a state of nature" sion without permits in California may occasional Tanzanian shipments that (Seth-Smith 1932). be one reason none have been yet arrive in this country. Mr. Shore-Baily's (923) pair went to imported. If the Golden and Chestnut Spar­ nest "very early in April" 1923, in a Historically, the Cape Sparrow has row's standing in the genus Passer is nest built in a box by a pair of Cape had a positive captive histoly. Rutgers questionable, there are no such Sparrows Passer melanurus the previ­ et at. (977), writing from a Continen­ doubts regarding Passer motitensis, ous year. Mr. Shore-Baily removed tal European perspective, summarize, the Rufous or Great Sparrow (de­ these eggs for his collection. The "These birds are easy to keep and will pending whether one is in East or succeeding clutch, laid almost imme­ also breed. However, the young can South Africa). From the illustrations in diately after, proved clear. Mr. Shore­ only be reared on live food. They live Williams and Arlott (980) or Newman Baily suspected "a lot of cold east peacefully with related and other spe­ (983), it will be seen 'that one could winds." After a brief "rest," a third cies and they well survive the winter easily mistake this species for the clutch resulted in two chicks, fledging in a frost-free location. The first British House Sparrow. Therefore, of course, after roughly three weeks, on a diet of breeding was achieved by David it has never been a popular species in "any insects I could supply," as well Seth-Smith, who would later become aviculture, but aviculturists being avi­ as on bread and milk. These two dis­ Curator of Mammals and Birds at the culturists, it has been bred in captivity. appeared after leaving the nest, likely London Zoo, and the much-beloved As I mentioned in the first palt of this victims of a "beast of a rat" subse­ "zoo man" of the BBC Children's Hour article (Lindholm 1994), William quently discovered in the aviary. in 1901 (Coles 1987). William Shore­ Shore-Baily, of England, specialized in Twelve days after this disappearance, Baily (923) reared three in 1922. Ploceids and seems to have been par­ on 25 July, three chicks hatched. Emilius Hopkinson (926) found that ticularly interested in Passer. He con­ Though the parents fed them dili­ the Cape Sparrow had been bred in sidered it to be a "rarely imported gently on mealworms and fly larvae, Europe before 1870, and that by the bird." I presume his pair, which he only one survived to fledging, leaving 1920s it was considered "frequently referred to as "Benguella Sparrows the nest 15 August. The fact that the bred" there. I do not know if there are flight feathers were almost entirely currently any "Mossies" (as the Afri­ white, as well as a "broad bar" on the kaaners call them) in Europe or Eng­ tail, was attributed to abnormality, but land. It is to be hoped that any fLlither Mr. Shore-Baily commented, "It looks exports from Africa will be well very pretty in flight with its white received. wings, and not unlike a Snow­ The only species of Passer listed in Bunting." CITES, and thus prohibited from I cannot find any record of Passer entering the U.S., is P. griseus} the motitensis in this country. Though it Gray-headed Sparrow. Of the species occurs in both Tanzania and Bot­ discussed in this article, it is, in my swana, from where occasional ship­ opinion, the least attractive avicultur­ ments of finches still come, 1 very ally. Illustrations in Williams and much doubt we will see any due to so Arlott (980) and Newman (983) close a resemblance to the English show it to be a patternless sort of Sparrow. On the other hand, I am Dolphin-gray, with brown wings, somewhat surprised that I likewise mantle, and tail, and a touch of white find no record of importation to this at the shoulder. This species was first country of P. melanurus, the Cape bred in Britain in 1909 (Hopkinson Sparrow, for though it is obviously 1926, Coles 1987). Rutgers et at. related to P. domesticus} it is a very (977), who, as I have mentioned pretty bird, the male's head pattern earlier, were optimistic about the com­ • Rare Pet Species • being remarkably like that of a Cuban munity potential of Golden and Cape • Consultation • Melodious Finch, if the Cuban's yel­ Sparrows, state, "They are a bit trou­ There is no charge for low were replaced by pure white. The blesome when kept with smaller birds telephone consultation by combination of this white semi-circle, and are best with starlings or related hobbyists. pet owners. surrounding a black mask and bor­ birds." Considering also that this dered by a black crown and pectoral species is six inches long, it's probably EB CRAVENS collar, is beautifully set off by a gray just as well we can't get any. nape and primaries, chestnut mantle, Passer griseus is found over almost P.O. Box 823, Naalehu, HI and off-white underparts. The female all of Sub-Saharan Africa except for 1-808-929-9933 again corresponds to a female Cuban rain forests. In East Africa it is found Finch in its face pattern of off-white sympatrically with several very 44 July / August] 994 closely-related and similar looking more could arrive as "fillers" in what branches, leaVing much flying space. species (Williams and Arlott 1980), further Tanzanian shipments may yet Numerous nests of different models: probably evolutionary descendants arrive here. Williams and Arlott (1980) Harzer wicker cages, half-open boxes, that were once isolated from the par­ present paintings of two subspecies Budgerigar nest-boxes and Keston tri­ ent population of P. griseus. One of that occur in Tanzania (they consider angular nest-boxes were hung on the these was featured in aviculture. them different species). The more walls at different heights from the Swainson's Sparrow P. swainsonii, "a northern one has a less well defined floor to the roof." Into this aviary, in very dark edition of the Grey-headed yellow throat-patch and white "eye­ March 1955, he released at the same Sparrow with a chestnut-brown lower brows." Otherwise both are basically time, a pair of Petronia dentata, as back" (Williams and Arlott 1980), gray birds with white throats. From well as pairs of Black-rumped, occurs along the African Red Sea Newman (983), one can see that the Orange-cheeked and Golden­ coast, in other words, the gate to the southern African birds have especially breasted Waxbills, Strawberries, Cor­ Suez Canal. Thus, it was bred before well-defined "eyebrows." Newman dons, Parsons, Masked Grass Finches, 1880 by the great German aviculturist (983) cautions that the yellow breast Owls (his specialty), Diamond Spar­ Karl Russ (Hopkinson 1926). It was spot is "not a field character." It is rows, Red-headed Parrot Finches and still showing up in Europe in the faintly possible specimens may show Cuban Melodious Finches. At the end 1950s; Carl af Enehjelm, in Helsinki, up in Botswanan shipments. of March, the female Petronia was Finland, bred it (among quite a few Of the four Petronias, P. supercili­ seen emerging from a Keston triangu­ other species) in 1951 (Prestwich aris is the only one with no record of lar box (named after the world­ 1952). When, however, shipments of captive propagation. There are two famous English breeding center that African birds came to Europe by air, Avicultural Magazine articles on the operated from the 1930s through the Red Sea coastal species largely breeding of the other Sub-Saharan 1960s). Dr. af Enehjelm was surprised dropped from aviculture. species, P. dentata, the Bush Sparrow to find the nest composed entirely of The four birds that make up the or Lesser Rock Sparrow, which, listed small feathers which had blown into genus Petronia, the Petronias, or as CITES Appendix III for Ghana, can­ the room through the netting from an Rock Sparrows, appear to be sort ofan not be imported to the United States. I adjoining flight for young Budgeri­ evolutionary sideline off the main Pas­ have not had the opportunity to read gars, despite the abundance of other ser branch, or perhaps broke off from Jeffrey Trollope's (977) account of his nesting materials. Two eggs were a near ancestor to Passer. Two are success, the first British breeding, in present. Both had hatched by 1 April, found in Sub-Saharan Africa, another 1976. The other account is by Curt af and the chicks respectively left the being of largely Mediterranean distri­ Enehjelm (956) who was not only a nest 19 April and 22 April. The first bution, as well as the Canaries and private aviculturist but Director of the egg of a new clutch was laid 23 April, central Asia, and the fourth occurring Helsinki Zoo as well. His account is and one was laid each of the next two in the Middle East, India and neigh­ particularly striking in that it contra­ days. Only one of the three hatched, boring areas. The British aviculturist dicts horror stories I read (or heard), doing so 7 May. This chick fledged 27 Jeffrey Trollope (1979) pretty much whose source I cannot now place, May - the same day a third clutch sums up what can be said about Petro­ concerning murderous aggression on was started, completed by a second nias in aviculture, "This lack of inter­ .the part of Rock Sparrows. If I remem­ egg the next day. These disappeared est in the genus is not difficult to ber properly, the killings took place in 14 June, and were replaced by a explain as, even in the days of unin­ a cage, probably over-crowded. All fourth clutch, laid 18, 19 and 20 June. hibited bird importations, shipm~nts that aside, Dr. af Enehjelm did not Two chicks hatched 1 July, and the were few and erratic because of poor over-crowd his birds. As he describes, last hatched 3 July, respectively leav­ demand, as these birds lack colour, "In 1955 I erected a new indoor flight ing the nest on 23, 24 and 25 July. Dr. singing ability and rarity, three of the 22 by 10 feet and 6 feet high, with Enehjelm (1956) notes, "At this time values on which avicultural demand is three large windows facing south and some other bird had removed all the based. Petronias are not easy birds to a smaller one facing east; this was feathers from the nest so that the three breed, but they are interesting and dis­ rather sparingly equipped with youngsters were sitting on the wood play little of the interspecific aggres­ sion attributed to sparrows of the co N genus Passer. Apart from their lively C'") and interesting behaviour, I think Ray Ackroyd's Australian A"itours another avicultural virtue they possess Presenting our 1994 'Outback Bird Tours' is that, as hole-nesters, they can fill an Discover Australia's magnificent bird life on a twelve day Bird Safari. Enjoy ecological 'niche' in an aviary, without your personalised tours within a luxury, air conditioned 4-wheel drive. All tours displaying the aggression which some are reserved for a maximum of four persons allowing for optimum comfort and other hole-nesters such as titmice mobility. Explore vast waterfowl wetlands, inland river systems, parrot and demonstrate." cockatoo breeding grounds on a full camp-out tour that you will talk about forever. One species may possibly be avail­ Experience video of still photography at very close quarters. You'll soon feel able to American aviculturists, Petro­ an integral part of this unique natural habitat. nia superciliaris, the Yellow-throated Please join tour guide Ray Ackroyd, fondly known as 'Cockatoo Dundee' and hostess Sparrow. I saw one in a cage full of Beryl Berthon-Ackroyd on this outback adventure of a lifetime. Sales agent and tour enquiries; liverpool Travel Service, Northumberland Street, Tanzanian seed-eaters at the Pomona liverpool, NSW, 2170, Australia. PH; (61 2) 6020233 FAX; (61 2) 6020403 Bird Mart in 1990 and it is conceivable

afa WATCHBIRD 45 ofthe box, not very comfortable when was sitting again." the form of the triangular box is con­ Of course, one cannot presume that sidered." This was the season's final nearly forty-year-old results for Petro­ fiNCHES AND clutch. At the time Dr. Enehjelm's arti­ nia dentata can certainly be dupli­ cle was written, all the fledged chicks cated for P. superciliaris, but we won't SPARROWS were still in the aviary and doing well. know unless someone attempts to Considering that Jeffrey Trollope breed from whatever specimens con­ An Identification Guide (979) felt Petronias are "not easy tinue to be available - and publishes Peter Clement birds to breed," it is likely that Dr. the results. Illustrations byAlan Harris and John Davis Enehjelm's seemingly effortless suc­ This new book combines nearly 950 cess is at least partially due to the Acknowledgements color portraits with detailed descriptions of abundance of fresh (as opposed to I am most grateful to Arthur every species of finches and sparrows. For dried) ant pupae (ant's eggs); "As to Douglas, who presented me with a the first time all 290 species are described copy of Emilius Hopkinson's Records and illustrated in color. Birders and cage­ rearing food, egg-food, fresh ants' bird enthusiasts alike will find this book to eggs, sprouted millet, canary seed, ofbirds bred in captivity. be an essential reference. It is simply the oats and sunflower seeds were offered most comprehensive and up-to-date guide ... As mentioned earlier, the rearing References available today. Bates, H. and R. Busenbark (963) Finches and food was scattered on the sand in a Soft-billed Birds. T.F.H. Publications, Inc. Cloth: $49.50 ISBN 0-691-03424-9 large shallow box. As far as I could Brooker, A. (986) Breeding the Chestnut Spar­ see, fresh ants' eggs were first taken row, Sorella (Passer) eminibey. Al'icultural when fresh food was offered. I sup­ Magazine XCII, 184-185. Coles, D. (987) First breeding records for birds pose, however, that other kinds of reared to independence under controlled con­ food were also used as the rearing ditions in the United Kingdom. (Published by food was only offered once a day" the author.) (Enehjelm 1956). He goes on to Delacour,].T. (928) Bird keeping in Peking. Avi­ culturalMagazine (Series IV) Vol. VI, 26-29. explain, "I have always fresh ants' Enehjelm, C. af (956) TIle breeding of the Lesser PRINCETON eggs at hand, outside the season fro­ Rock Sparrow (Gymnoris dentata). Ibid. LXlI, zen. It is my impression that many 59-61. UNIVERSITY PRESS birds start to feed more easily when Hodges,].R. (988) News and views [Part]. Ibid. AVAILABLE AT FINE BOOKSTORES XCIV, 231. OR DIRECTLY FROM THE PUBLISHER: 609-883-1759 they have fresh ants' eggs at their dis­ Hopkinson, E. (1926) Records ofbirds bred in posal than with any other food. When captil'ity. H.F. and G. Witherby. the youngsters in this way are not International Species Information System (994) ISIS BirdAbstract as of31 December 1993. starved from the start they will be able Laycock, G. (966) The alien animals. TIle Natu­ to beg for more food more energeti­ ral History Press. Magnolia Bird cally, which stimulates the parents to Newman, K. (983) Birds ofSouthern Africa. take other rearing foods, too, which Macmillan South Africa. Prestwich, A.A. (952) News and Views. Al'icul­ they probably would not use if the turalMagazine LVIII, 34-36. Farm \!.'.~.r.'.··~'~/, feeding instinct (or reflex) had not first Rutgers, A., K.A. Norris and c.H. Rogers (977) been released by that, from the bird's Encyclopedia of Aviculture - Volume 111. Blandford Press. We /"1 ''I ~ , point of view, obviously very desir­ Serle, W., G.]' Morel, and W. Hartwig (977) A Buy ~~~ \ \ ? able food, the fresh ants' eggs." Of field guide to the birds ofWest Africa. Collins. course, ants' cocoons in any state are Seth-Smith, D. (932) The late Wm. Shore-Baily. :i)~ r.) ~ Birds not now a usually obtainable item for AviculturalMagazine (Series IV) Vol. X, 333­ 334. Americans, but we do have commer­ Shore-Baily, W. (1923) Breeding the Benguella cial sources of tiny mealworms, Sparrow (Passer jagoensis benguellensis). ~" ~~,~ '~, maggots, pinhead crickets and fruit Ibid. (Series IV) Vol. I, 227-229. Tell, M. (990) News and Views [Part]. Ibid. XCVI, flies to experiment with. 61-62. Dr. Enehjelm (956) appears to have Terres, ].K. (980) The Audubon Society Encyclo­ Birds ~ heard the horror stories about Petro­ pedia of North Amerian Birds. Alfred A. nia aggression, as he qualifies his Knopf. Travnicek, R.G. Aviculture in China. A.F.A. Complete Bird Supplies observations of his birds, "I do not WatchbirdXIII (No.2) 30-34. know if it is a special or individual Trollope,]. (1977) TIle breeding and behavior of 8990 Cerritos Ave. character of this pair, but the birds the Bush Petronia (Petronia dentata). Avicul­ Anaheim, CA 92804 have all the time been as peaceful as a turalMagazine LXXXVIII, 69-74. (714) 527-3387 - (979) The breeding and behaviour of the pair of Bengalese or Parrot Finches. I Yellow-throated Sparrow (Petronia xantbo­ (closed for vacation, first 2 weeks of July). never saw them chase or attack any coll~).Ibid.~,135-138. 12200 Magnolia Ave. other birds. Even when sitting on a Walsh,].]. (970) Breeding the African Song Spar­ Riverside, CA 92503 row and Green Singing Finch in Australia. new clutch, the older youngsters were Ibid. LXXVI, 147. (909) 278-0878 never chased. The birds were not shy, Williams,].G. and N. Arlott (980). Afieldguide to (closed for vacation, first 2 weeks of August) the hen never left the nest till I was the birds ofEast Africa. Collins. close in front of the nest opening. Ten Zoological Society of London 0961-1991) Species OPEN 9 TO 5 DAILY of birds bred in zoos and other institutions Closed Sun., Mon. & holidays minutes after the nest had been hung 1959-1989. International Zoo Yearbook in place and I had left the flight, she I-XXXI.• 46 July / August 1994 j