i85 



of tiles, leaving a square of earth in the centre in 

 which are planted some shrubs. The indoors floor is 

 entirely tiled and thickly covered with sand. 



In this aviary there are Gouldians, various Nuns, 

 Ribbon and Zebra Finches, Diamond Sparrows, 

 Canaries, Combasous, and Wh3^dahs. 



In the near future I hope to erect a range of 

 aviaries to contain three pairs only in each (of 

 different species), for I feel sure that overcrowding is 

 the principal cause of non-success in breeding. In 

 the window aviary the Cordon Bleus built and laid 

 three eggs, but did not sit. The Ribbon Finches also 

 had two nests, but nothing came of them either. 



Among other birds which I have brought up by 

 hand this year are two Woodpigeons. While they 

 were quite babies I let them out one da}^ on the lawn, 

 where I have several ordinary Ring Doves flying 

 loose and breeding in a dove cot. A male young one 

 of this year came down and perched near to the baby 

 Woodpigeons, when the latter ran up to him crying to 

 be fed. After a few moments this he actually did, 

 feeding them from the crop like an old bird. They 

 are now grown up and are quite tame, though having 

 complete liberty along with the Doves, coming down 

 with the latter every morning and evening to be fed. 

 The young Dove still however feeds them between 

 whiles, in spite of their being quite able to do without 

 his attentions. 



