33G The Sonneherg Aviaries. 



Among the large number of birds kept in this instal- 

 lation, it is highly regrettable that so few are of native species. 

 A few specimens of the more common Finches, a Cowbird, and 

 some Mourning Doves complete the list of those on hand at the 

 time of the writer's visit. The cause is not traceable to a 

 dearth of available species in tlie wild state, but to the fact 

 that American aviculturists who are privileged to keep indi- 

 genous birds are compelled to depend upon their own resources 

 for securing specimens. Too stringent protection laws do not 

 favour the development of expert bird-catchers, without whose 

 aid the formation or maintenance of a large collection of native 

 birds is a ipractical impossibility. 



The exotics confined in the Aviary, however, ini;luded 

 a number of unusual species. The rarest was undoubtedly the 

 Indian Spur-winged Plover, {Iloiilopterus spmosus). This bird, 

 while common enough throughout the Indian Peninsula, is un- 

 doubtedly uncommon in captivity, and the single specimen at 

 Sonneberg is probably unique in America. The series of Why- 

 dahs was uncommonly good, including Pin -tail, (Vidua serena), 

 Paradise, (Steganura paradisca), Eed-coUared, {C olio st ruth us 

 ardens), Giant, (Diatropura progne), Yellow -backed, (Fenthe- 

 triopsis macrura) and Eed-shouldered, {Urobrachya axillaris). 

 The Gray -headed and Cape Sparrows, (Passer diffusus and 

 P. arcuatus), were the best of the FringilUdae, while the 

 Triangular-spotted and Bare-eyed Pigeons, (Columha guinea 

 and C. gymnopthalma), were in faultless condition and plumage. 

 It may be noted in passing that while Pigeons ofl'ered 'by 

 dealers as Columha gimiea are almost invariably the dark- 

 rumped species, C. phaeonota, the birds in this collection Avere 

 undoubtedly the first-named. 



The next building is the Jay House. It is thirty -five 

 by ten feet, sloping to six feet at the rear. It is built entirely: 

 of wood and has no adjoining flight cages. The fronts of the 

 four compartments are so arranged as to permit their being 

 covered with fine -mesh wire netting during the summer, and by 

 glass for the winter, so that the inmates can always be seen 

 from the walk which leads past the house. Here were kept 

 Choughs, (Graculus graculus), Sulphur -breasted Toucans, 

 Greater Hill Mynahs, Lanceolated Jays, (Laletes lanceolatns), 

 Tced-billed Blue Magpies, (Urocissa occipitalis), and a very 



