134 Aviary Episodes — 1911. 



I sincerely hope our esteemed members. Messrs. C. 

 T. Maxwell and L. W. Hawkins will send us notes on keeping 

 Sunbirds in captivity. — Ed. 



Aviary Episodes - 1911. 



By Dr. -T. Easton Scott. 



[I must preface these notes by stating that they were not 

 written as an article, but merely as a «)rivate totter on May 8th, from 

 which I might glean a note or so for the Editorial column. I am 

 acquainted with the aviaries and so details may be larking, but these 

 I shall clear up as a descriptive article will appear in a uiear 

 issue. I am sure Dr. Scott will pardon my publishing intact these 

 chatty happenings of the opening of the season — espeei'iUy interesting 

 because of their informality, and certainly too good to be split up 

 into stray notes.— Ed.] 



This has been a sort of general birthday among the 

 birds. To begin with the Robins (which by the wav will take 

 worms from Mrs. Scott's hand as she feeds the l>ir(ls in the 

 aviary) have been hatched out. We almost number them 

 among " the birds " though they are wild — their nest is in a 

 tree by the new aviary. Well, that, by the way— but inside^ 

 No. 2 (the new aviary) two Zebra Finches, two Cordon Bleus, 

 and two Pileated Finches all left the q^^ to-day. No doubt 

 the numbers will be increased l)y to-morrow. Zebra Finches 

 nested in a husk in the house, I think there are still two eggs 

 in the nest along with the young. Pileated Finches nested in a 

 Laurel bush — an open, utterly inadequate nest, with throe eggs. 

 The eggs almost filled it, so I expect history will repeat itself, 

 viz., when the young grow sufficiently big they will fall out. 

 I don't like to interfere by trying to put anything on in the 

 way of additions, in case they desert. Two young hatched 

 out to-day, and they are being well parented so far. 



Cordon Bleus nested in another Laurel bush. There 

 are four eggs, I think, but, it is a lovely little domed nest, 

 with such a tiny opening that I can scarcely get one finger in. 

 These birds are father and daughter. They tried nesting 

 several weeks ago, but nothing was hatched, better success 

 attended them this time, and two young left the o^i; to-day. 



Orange-breasted Waxbills have their nest in an ivy 

 covered stump — in appearance the nest is like the Cordons' 



