Visits to Meynhers Aviaries. 267 



aviaries, far from iDeing an eyesore, are an ornamental feature 

 of the terrace lawn. 



Its Occupants: This aviary contains the following 

 pairs : 



Yellow-rumped Finches. Avadavats (2 pairs). 



Chinese Painted Quails. Grey Singing Finches. 



Three -colotired Mannikins (? pair). vSt. Helena Waxbills. 

 Gape Ganaries. Paradise Whydahs. 



Zebra Doves. 



Also the following odd birds: Hooded Siskin Ocf), Goul- 

 dian Finch ($), Green Avadavat, Ganary (9), and Pelzeln's Saffron 

 Finch (cf), Cuba Finches {(Sd)- 



The above were in most excellent condition, finer plum- 

 aged birds of their kind I have never seen, their vigorous 

 health was unmistakable, the very abandon with which they 

 disported about the aviary, the fervour of their song, display 

 and general demeanour were all in accord with the spirit of 

 " the gladsomeness of life " in no mean measure — the song 

 of the Cape Canaries was a treat to listen to — the whole forming 

 a source of ever-changing interest and pleasure, for in such 

 aviaries the life history of birds is unfolded before one — 

 from the Qgg to the mature bird. From January to December 

 the narrative runs, and then commences again — shedding and 

 donning of plumage, courtship with its fervid love songs and 

 dances, house building, eggs, incubation, feeding of young, 

 bringing out the brood, all these episodes, with the ever- 

 changing demeanour of the birds, supply a source of 

 interest and pleasure which never flags and is never forgotten. 



As already remarked breeding results have been small 

 indeed. Though most of the pairs have nested, the result has 

 been either infertile eggs, chicks dead in shell, or young not 

 reared to maturity; yet food, accommodation, and vigour have 

 apparently been all that could be desired. I am of the opinion 

 that .there will be a very different record from this aviary 

 next season. Capt. Eeeve has not been alone in his disap- 

 pointing experience. The extreme dry heat, has evidently not 

 suited many species, and though there have been some notable 

 successes this season, failures have been far more numerous. 



No. 2 Aviary : No description is called for, as this 

 aviary was described in this journal last December. Here 

 again there has been but little success. Four Avadavats 



