The Aviaries cmd Birds at Hoddam Castle. 243 



This beautiful uncommon and interesting- species has been fre- 

 quently described in our pages {vide B.N., Vol. viii., and 

 Vol. i., N.S.) Mr. Brook's pair were in exquisite plumage 

 and soundest condition, yet, sti'ange to say, though eggs galore 

 have been laid, none have hatched out. I possessed a pair 

 for three years, which passed into the possession of our es- 

 teemed member Miss Drummond last year. — I have recently 

 heard from Miss Drummond that she has heard the voices of 

 young- birds in the nest log. Though previously, birds given 

 aviary accommodation, had refused to nest successfully, a 

 young bird was hatched out (still living), in one of the large 

 cages in the Parrot House at the London Zoo. These birds 

 are not only gorgeous, especially on the wing, but are very 

 interesting and amusing pets; no matter how large their en- 

 closure be, they come to the hand for food and play around 

 one's feet like puppies, also taking all sorts of liberties Mnth 

 one's person, the difficulty being to leave the aviary without 

 bringing them out on shoulder or arm. The photos reproduced 

 herewith were taken in my aviary and is but a single instance 

 of their absolute fearlessness once they are accustomed to their 

 owners and having learned this lesson, do not hesitate to take 

 the same liberties with strangers entering their enclosure. 

 From ,a recent letter I learn that Mr. Brook's pair have 

 again failed to rear young, which is most surprising, consider- 

 ing their condition and accommodation — an illustration, I pre- 

 sume, of the perversity of bird -life. 



To be continued. 



A Yorkshire Aviary. 



By Wesley T. Page, F.Z.S., etc. 



Our esteemed member Mr. C. H. Eobinson, of Glaisdale, 

 is a new and enthusiastic adherent to the fascinating hobby 

 of Foreign Bird keeping, commencing last year with a wired 

 enclosure in a lobby between two greenhouses. The birds 

 kept, mostly " freely imported species," did well but there 

 were some losses owing to a fluctuating temperature — too hot 

 if anything. 



After consultation with myself, he decided to put up 

 an out -door aviary and the resulting erection, of which we give 



