Visits to Members^ Aviaries. 173 



In conclusion, I may mention that in some parts of 

 the Punjab the common babblers or seven sisters are con- 

 sidered to be table delicacies by the natives. The following 

 device is used to catch these noisy birds : 



A dome-shaped structure, about the size of an open 

 imibrella, made of twigs is placed on the ground and a num- 

 ber of horse-hair nooses attached to. it. Into this a sparrow 

 is put. His cries of distress usually attract a butcher-bird, 

 which gets caught in one of the nooses. Then he and the 

 sparrow are tied together under the basket, to the great 

 disgust of both, which causes them to make a great uproar. 

 The noise never fails to attract any company of seven sisters 

 that happen to be in the neighbourhood, for they are most 

 inquisitive creatures. They hop on to the basket, chattering 

 loudly and become entangled in the nooses. 



« 



Visits to Members' Aviaries. 



By Wesley T. Page, F.Z.S., Etc. 



Mr. Fisher's Aviaries and Birds: In the first week 

 of April I once more had the privilege of a talk with this 

 member and seeing his collection. The aviaries have been 

 several times referred to in, our pages, so that concerning 

 them I need only remark that certain renovations and improve- 

 ments have been carried out, which enhance the comfort of 

 their occupants. These, perhaps, were not quite so numer- 

 pus as usual, but all were looking very fit and some bent on 

 nesting operations. I cioted among others the following : 



Pheasants.— Goldtn, Silver, Swinhoe's, Ring-necked, White, and 

 Lady Amherst's, also handsome crosses between the Golden and Lady, 

 Amherst's. 



I'arrakects.—T^ws enclosure was gi\cn up to Budgerigars, which 

 were breeding freely, Madagascar Lovebirds, Cockateels, Moustache, and 

 Ring-necks. 



Finches.— In this aviary were certain Waxbills and Weavers, British 

 Finches, Buntings, Foreign Finches, and Cardinals. 



Tho aviaries were ^cleanly and well kept, and with 

 their occupants made quite a pleasing and interesting display. 



Mr. C. E. Croker's Aviaries; From the preceding 



