My Aviary and Gouldian Finches. 41 



One word in conclusion : never keep a Pscphotus Par- 

 rtakeer in a Parrot-cage for any length of time; it is little 

 short of cruelty. Vone of tlie Platycercinae are suited to 

 close confinement; the Psep/iofi least of all. Their .spirits 

 droop their beautiful tail get frayed and bent, their feet 

 grov deformed and twelve months in durance vile will ruin 

 the finest specimen — twenty-four will probably kill it. If you 

 must kec]) a Psephotiis when you have no aviary acronimo- 

 dation. get a rectangular cage of zinc and wire-netting made 

 at least 3 feet by 2\ ftet, and 3 feet high. Have two 

 perches, one of medium size, the other quite, thin. Do not 

 forget to provide grit and baths, and to give plenty of green- 

 food, including small branches in leaf or bud. Except in the 

 case of Blue-Bonnets, you can generally put the greenstuff 

 in a vessel of water and thereby keep it fresh for quite a 

 long time. The birds will nibble off what they actually re- 

 quire, but will not pull the food all over the cage and upset the 

 water, as most Parrovs would do. 



My Aviary and Gouldian Finches. 



B\ Bernard C. Tiioma.sset. 



iMv AviARV; Early in 1913, soon after 1 came to Ash- 

 mansworth, I decided to take up bird keeping again. 



I was fortunate in finding two solidly built and roomy 

 pdgsties facing south. They backed on to a large farm build- 

 ing which completely sheltered them from the north. 



After some alterations I had two aviaries under one 

 roof, consisting of two shelters, each 9ft. 6in., with two 

 flights I 4ft. X I oft. 



I'nfortunately the shelters are low, 7ft. at back and 6ft. 

 ill front. i'he flights are 7ft. high and this makes it difficult 

 to drive birds nuo the shelter when desired. 



To a Jieight of 4ft. the shelters have very thick walls of 

 Him and brick, above this they are double boarded. The 

 roof is of iron, boarded inside. 



Each division is well lighted and has a wood and glass 

 door opening into the flight. 



