28 



there and to eat the soft food supplied readily. In their 

 native country their food consists chiefly of insects, })nt 

 they also fiequent the sea-shore to feed on crabs and the 

 small molluscs. K. Hopkinson, ]\r.A., M.B. (Oxon.) 



A MIXED COLLECTION. 



When first I 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 up 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 very 

 short experience that even the most peaceful 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 various 

 shrubs in pots; while from the roof hang numbers 

 of husks, suspended by cords or chains. The husks 

 afford endless amusement to the smaller birds, which are 

 i>ot supposed to nest in them, as well as to the Budgerigars, 

 for whose especial benefit they are put up. The green 

 Budgerigars l^reed very freeh' with me, and I have every 

 hope of being equally fortunate with the yellow variet}-. 

 Jiesides the husks, there are tubs fixed on the walls for 

 the Cockatiels, and numerous boxes for the finches, &c. 



I\Iy happy family in the bird-room consists of the 

 following : — Two pairs each of Cockatiels, Green liudgeri- 

 gars, Yellow Budgerigars, Grey Java Sparrows, Ribljon 

 Finches, and Bengalese. One pair of White Javas, 

 (xrey-singing Finches, Blue Robins, Madagascar Love 

 Birds, Black-headed IMannikins, and Zebra Finches. One 

 Spice-bird and one Indigo-bird. Two cock Cordon- 

 })leus, two Weavers, various Waxbills (odd birds), ten or 

 eleven Canaries, a Bullfinch, a Goldfinch, two Redpolls, 

 a Goldfinch mule, and a Great Tit. 



