223 



but think this is caused b}- the plucking propensities of other 

 species. 



About two months ago a little cock Avadavat, who was 

 kept in a small aviary cage with other Waxbills, liad become 

 absolutely clear of feathers on head and neck, presenting a 

 comical resemblance to a minute Vulture; after being isolated, 

 he is completely restored and in spleiulid colour. 



It would be interesting to the undersigned to know if this 

 is the experience of others. Alfred Wheki^ek. 



The baldness is sometimes caused by the plucking of other 

 birds, but more often it is not so caused. Wheu not caused by 

 plucking it is sometimes thought to be the result of skin 

 disease, but it is very often simply a symptom of debility. 

 The feathers frequently come on at the next moult. 



Horatio R. Fiij.mer. 



fforeiGii 3BirD (Siuertes aii^ IReplics. 



BIRDS FOR AVIARY. 



QuesiioJi : I am thinking of building a small outdoor aviary 

 (about 5ft. by Sft., by 9ft. high), It would be well protected, 

 being sheltered at the back by a thick hedge, and on each side 

 by the ends of two Pheasant houses (which would form its 

 sides). It would be boarded on all sides except the front, facing 

 South. 



I wish to keep small birds in it for breeding, and shall be 

 greatly obliged if you will give me suggestions as to how 

 many pairs I could keep in it, and also the most likely pairs to 

 breed successfully. E. W. C. 



Answer: If I were you, as you wish the birds to breed, I 

 should not put more than two or three pairs of birds into such a 

 small aviary. The easiest species to breed are, I think, the 

 Zebra Finch, the Ribbon Finch, and the Parson Finch— but 

 they are all rather disposed to interfere with the nests of other 

 birds. Perhaps the best way would be to make serious attempt 

 to breed only one species each season, and start next May with 

 one pair of either of the species named above, and fill up the 

 aviary with a few small inoffensive birds, such as Waxbills, 

 Silverbills, and the smaller Mannikins. But I should not put 

 more than a dozen birds into the aviary— though some people 

 would consider it large enough for forty. 



By " small birds," I take it that you mean small foreign 

 finches — but if Parrakeets are admissible, there are no birds so 

 easy to breed as Budgerigars. H. R. F. 



