88 A Mixed Collection. 



A Mixed Collection. 



By ISAJ'.KLLA BkLI'ORD W'lI.SOX. 



[We so often L;'el in(|uiries from nienibers in town or city, with 

 ]!(■ acconiniodation for an ontdoor aviary, as to the next best 

 thiny" for keeping a few Ijirds hap[)ily and successfully — the reply 

 obviously is a birdrooni, and as a help we reprint this short 

 aiticle from IjIrd Notks, \'o1. 1. (out of print), which, thou,u;ii 

 somewhat sparse of detciil, is yet a narrative of successful 

 Ijird-keeping. — Editor.] 



When first 1 began to keep foreign birds I was more 

 than doubtful as to how the different species would agree 

 together. However, I had only one room which I could give 

 v.Y to the birds, so I was obliged to chance the risk of putting" 

 in large and small together — and the result has been a success. 

 My bird-room is large and lofty, and this may be the reason 

 that my somewhat varied collection live in peace, for I found 

 after a short experience that e\en the most i)eaceful birds will 

 quarrel if caged in a small space, 



In the middle of the room I have a good-sized tree with 

 bare branches, and there are variotis shrubs in pots: while from 

 the roof hang mmibers of husks, suspended by cords or chains. 

 The husks afford endless amusement to the smaller birds, which 

 .nre not supposed to nest in them, as well as to the Budgerigars. 

 The Green Budgerigar breeds very freely with me. and I have 

 every hope of being equally fortunate with the Yellow variety. 

 Besides the husks there are tubs fixed on the walls for the 

 Cockateels, and numerous Ijoxes for the finches, etc. 



My happy family in the birdroom consists of the following : 



2 pairs Cockateels {Calopsittaciis noi'ae-lwlhindiac). 



2 pairs Green Budgerigars {Mclopsittaeiis undulotus). 



2 pairs Yellow Budgerigars (}f. ii)idnlat!ts, var. Intcus). 



? pairs Grey Java Sparrows {Muiiia orycii'ora). 



2 pairs Ribbon Finches {Amadina fasciata). 



2 pairs Bengalese (Mnnia doniestica). 



T pair White Java Sparrows (M. oryci^'ora var. alha). 



I pair Grey Singingfinches (Serijuts leiicuf'xgiiis). 



I pair Blue Robins (Sialia sialis). 



I pair Madagascar Lovebirds (Aga/^oniis caiia). 



