Visits to Members' Aviaries. 809 



tural papers as to the " nicest " bird for a " one bird man." 

 The first writer quoted the tameness of " George " the Hang- 

 nest in the Western Aviaries at the Zoological Gardens; 

 another advocated the qualities of the Shama, and I here would 

 put in a plea for two species, both more beautiful than either 

 of the above, viz.: the Gold-fronted Fruitsucker and the Black- 

 headed Sugarbird — the former all seem to become tame and 

 confiding, and are moreover fine songsters and mimics. 



The Sugarbirds came to me from a fellow aviculturist 

 who had bought them from an exhibitor, so it is possil)le that 

 their former life had steadied them — but certain it is that they 

 have lost none of their tameness by aviary -life, and a more 

 beautiful or afl'ectionate pair of birds it would be dilTicult to 

 find. 



Of seed-eating Foreigners I have found Blue-breasted 

 Waxbills and Hooded Siskins the most fearless and confiding, 

 and if the latter would only breed, they would certainly be 

 my favourite hardbilis — the hen quite apart from her rarity is 

 a gem and can hardly be driven away from the feeding door 

 if she suspects maw or hempseed. 



Of other popular birds I find Gouldian Finches lethargic 

 and rather stupid, whereas both species of Parrot Finches are 

 almost always wild, and dash about as if they had just been 

 caught. 



This applies equally to aviary bred birds, but they cer- 

 tainly steady down when they have young and recognise their 

 owner as the provider of insects. 



I regret we have been unable to have a photo -repro- 

 duction of one of the aviaries, to illustrate their pleasing and 

 practical arrangement, with their abundance of natural cover — 

 the ground plan, gives an idea as to the arrangement of the 

 series of aviaries and indicates their respective sizes. No. 6 

 is given up to odd and unpaired birds, as also is the bird- 

 room in the house. I trust Dr. Amsler will pardon the use I 

 have made of his letters, as the inclusion of his practical notes 

 and comments, makes the description of my visit of general 

 interest. The other aviaries referred to on page 268 of last 

 issue will be described in December issue. 

 To he Continued. 



