56 



XTbc Bra3ilian Ibangnest. 



(Icterus jamaicaii). 

 By Mrs. E. Warren Vernon. 



This is a lovely bird : the gorgeous brilliant orange breast, 

 back of head and neck and lower part of back, with black bill, 

 having long feathers which he erects at will ; black wings with 

 white bar and black tail, makes him one of the most fascinating 

 pets. His very pointed beak, which is also powerful, prevents his 

 being with other birds, as he has the most mischievious pro- 

 pensities of any bird I know. Any bright colour attracts him, 

 and a Red-cheeked Bulbul was nearly worried to death by his 

 constant attempt to pick the red off. A Scarlet Tanager was 

 equally worried by his trying to examine the white marks on his 

 beak. Any material he finds he puts his beak through and opens 

 it, the noise of tearing apparently pleasing him. 



He eats fruit, soft food, raw egg, a little of anything you 

 like to offer him. Bathes often, and has some lovely liquid notes. 

 His eye is like the Troupials — pale yellow with black centre — a 

 decidedly wicked eye. The naked skin round eye is pale bine. 



£ird*»1teepiii$. 



By Henry Gray, M.R.C.V.S., 

 Veterinary Surgeon to the Home for Lost and Stray Dogs, Batter sea, etc. 

 My experience of bird-keeping has been most interesting 

 and yet most disastrous. After having kept a few thousands 

 (both British and foreign) in outdoor aviaries and within doors 

 I have come to the conclusion that, providing one stocks one's 

 outdoor aviaries at a seasonable time of the year and gradually get 

 the birds accustomed to our climate before the autumnal season 

 sets in, most birds will stand our trying climate during the winter 

 months. But to successfully do this one must provide suitable 

 shelter and cover, such as thatch, straw, logs, brushwood, etc., 

 for the birds to creep into to keep themselves warm, just like our 

 resident birds do in thatch, hay and straw ricks, undergrowth, 

 ivy, yew, etc. It is unreasonable to expect foreigners to do well 

 exposed within a cold building or shed. Another factor for 



