2l8 



Botes on mv> Hvian> ano Biros. 



By Hayward W. Mathias. 



For an aviculturist {sic) of barely four months standing to 

 write his experiences, to my mind, savours of impertinence. 

 Still, Mr. Editor, you have asked me to have my say — and, as in 

 duty bound, I will do so. 



Perhaps in starting I may be allowed to mention that some 

 eight years ago, when badly bitten with " bird fever," I laid out 

 a certain number of golden sovereigns, and in return had, and 

 for a very limited period too, a varied collection (hailing from 

 Europe, Asia, Africa and America) besides several " Britishers," 

 which I put into disused Pigeon aviaries, and practically made 

 over to my gardener to look after (I was then away from home 

 in IyOndon daily). He knew no more about birds than I did, 

 and, as a result, which I ought to have anticipated, my varied 

 collection died off with great unanimity of feeling, and I was 

 left birdless and a sadder and wiser man. 



Very naturally after this experience I made up my mind to 

 leave aviculture severely alone, and was constant in this deter- 

 mination until I retired from the Civil Service, and finding my- 

 self a free man and a corner in my new garden looking "just the 

 very thing" for small birds, I determined to make a fresh start, 

 and did so by purchasing various pairs of Australian Finches, 

 some Diamond Doves, and, of course, Budgerigars, which I have 

 always been told "pay the corn bill * for the others." 



My experience however, as I shall now proceed to show 

 has, very fortunately, been that the Finches have bred more 

 freely than the Budgerigars, and rightly or wrongly, I attribute 

 the very satisfactory nests I have had to the sea breezes, and 

 wonderfully dry bracing air of this place (Stubbington, Hants). 



To start with, I suppose I should describe my aviary, which 

 is a wooden structure facing more west than south. The back 

 is made of i-inch boarding, about 10 feet long. The width 

 of the sleeping quarters is 4^ feet; the height at the front is 

 7 feet, sloping to 6 feet at the back. The roof is boarded and 



* I am afraid so many are now wanting- to pay their " corn bills " that the expected 

 result is not always realised; the supply of Budgerigars at present almost exceeds the 

 demand and profitable disposal is not always easy. — Ed. 



