/4t'7V7;'v A'ofcs from Northern Ireland. 147 



now spends a lot of its time in tlie nest lo,^'. so once a.^ain 

 one hopes. 



The same apphes to pairs of Rosella Parrakeets 

 (Platxeereiis eximius) and Cactus Conures (Connrus cactorum), 

 hut the happenini^'s are as yet " in the lap of the g"ods." 



A fine pair of Black Cassiques (Cossiciis spec, inccrt) are 

 in the pink of condition, but, so far as I am aware, have made 

 no attempt to go to nest, though mating is of frequent occur- 

 rence. These are grand birds, glossy black with purplish 

 reflections, whicn latter vary considerably according to the play 

 of light. They are birds of character, and of fascinating 

 demeanour — there is not a dull moment when one has a spare 

 lialf hour to spend in front of their aviary. 



I am in want of a hen Blossom-headed Parrakeet, cock 

 Alexandrine Parrakeet, and hen Pekin Robin, if any member can 

 accommodate me with acclimatised specimens to complete. 



Though, of course, breeding is our paramount aim. it is 

 not the sum total of the pleasures of aviculture; it certainly 

 supplies most of its disappointments. The economy of bird- 

 life that leads up to this central fact, surrounds it. and follows 

 after it. in all its varied details, rewards careful observation 

 with unending interest and pleasure as the season runs its 

 course, even in those cases when full breeding success is not 

 attained. 



I have tried to say nothing as interestingly as possible; 

 will not some of my fellow members copy my bad example, and 

 tell us of the doings of their birds, even if they have only 

 commonplace species ? 







Aviary Notes from Northern Ireland. 



By W. H. Workman. F.Z.S. 

 Some of our younger members may be interested in a few- 

 notes on my new aviary and a description of the various Httle 

 fitments which I have included in it, and. at the same time, T 

 feel I am complying with our good Editor's wish for more and 

 more copy for the magazine, which has done so much to keep 

 alive the avicultural hobby during the long years of the war and 

 after, when we were unable to get or keep foreign birds and so 



