Cnrresi)on(lcnce. 



27 



without a feathei- on its body, and joerhaps a few or none I'emaining 

 in the tail. 



When this condition has been reached, the bird has been satis- 

 fied for a while and let ths plumage grow again up to a certain, 

 extent. Soon, however, the same would happen again. About eight 

 or nine years ago we had one of the keepers of the Zoo to see it 

 and followed his directions with some benefit. 



Soon, however, eithor from want of care in carrying out 

 the directions or for some oth3r reason, the Parrot got as bad as 

 ever. 



About fifteen months ago we began to spray the bird freely 

 with a weak solution of Fir Tree Oil twice a week. This had 

 the desii-cd effect, and in two or three months the plumage was 

 nearly as fine as it had ever been, and the bird seemed to have 

 lest that irritation which evidently was the cause of the feather 

 pulling, the application apparently destroying the parasites which 

 produced the irritation. 



For about the last six months no application has been used and 

 the "bird is showing signs of relapsing into its old habits. 



"We have thought lately of returning to the fir tree oil spray. 



(Dr.) CHARLES BLAIR. 



AVIARY NOTES. 



Siii, — If you tliink the following of intejest perhaps you will 

 use it. 



I decided to put up a new aviary this summer, chiefly for the 

 benefit of three Pekin Robins— a cock and tAvo hens — which I felt 

 sure would do much better outside than in a cage. 



A site was chosen just below the garden at the top of a 

 wood, which slopes steeply to the river. The aviary was erected 

 against the garden wall, after this had been carefully cemented as; 

 a protection against rats. It consisted of a wire flight, made with 

 half-inch mesh wire netting stretched on 6ft. x 6ft. iron poultry 

 hurdles, and a shelter mado of matchboarding, roofed with 

 " Ruberoid." 



Wall 



■I>oo\ 



^ 



V 



ic Shelttx- 



VaS'Sa.qa- 



Vl 







Groiind Plan. 



In June the following birds were iiut out— three Pekins, 

 pairs cf Orange -checked WaxbiUs and Avadavats and a hen Grey 

 Singing Finch. In July, while I was aAvay from home, the rats 



