3ist July, but in some Counties from ist February to 

 31st August in each year : a further period may be 

 obtained through the Act of 1896), or possessing or 

 selling a Chough after the 15th March is liable to a 

 penalty of jQi for each bird. 



I was fortunate enough to be presented with a 

 pair of these delightful birds when I was staying in 

 Achill, and they are now housed in one of the com- 

 partments of my new aviary. Their flight is about 

 12 ft. by 16 ft., and in it are trees and a fountain ; the 

 flagged floor is thickly strewn with sea sand, and 

 round the fountain is a loose rockery which they love 

 to dig over. Besides this flight they have a good- 

 sized house, and though it must have been a sad 

 change to come from their lovely wild home, they 

 seem very contented and thrive well. 



They are a never-ending source of amusement to 

 all who visit my aviaries. How inquisitive they are ! 

 Peering into every corner, digging up the cement 

 between the stones, poking over the mould with their 

 long beaks, and, when fed, hiding the pieces of meat, 

 covering them safely up with small stones and leaves. 

 What an excitement they get into before the meal, 

 cawing, hurrying hither and thither! And when 

 you enter their compartment, without the slightest 

 warning down one will jump on to your shoulder, and 

 should the other alight on the same shoulder then 

 begins a battle royal, until one will fly away leaving 

 the other victorious. How they love to pull the 

 buckles and bright buttons which adorn the ladies' 

 dresses ! How the ladies admire them ! How they 

 love to fondle them ! Once I heard a lad}' sing to 

 these musicallj'-inclined birds — they became as if 

 mesmerised, and stood with one leg tucked up and 

 their beady eyes gradually closing, and there they 

 remained until the singing ceased, even then it took a 

 little time for them to come to. Then the way they 



