252 Visifs io ' Member si^ Aviaries and Bird rooms. 



beautiful garden noar the house, arc not in any sense an eye- 

 sore ; . in fact, quite the reverse, for, even in this prominent 

 position, they add to, rather than mar, the beauty of their 

 setting. The whole structure is built upon a concrete wall 

 2lh. deep by 9 inches thick, which runs entirely round the 

 aviary; this effectively Iceeps out the rats, which are fairly 

 numerous about the grounds. The flight is imos'tly constructed 

 of 2in. X 2m. deal quartering, with half-inch mesh wire net- 

 ting (thick gauge) stretched over the whole — it did not. suffer 

 any damage during the heavy snowfall in the early part of 

 this year. On the east side there is a 3ft.height of match- 

 boarding as a ishelter, but on the S. and W. the netting ex- 

 tends to the ground, the N. end of flight being bounded by the 

 shelters — the position is a fairly sheltered one. 



The shelters form one range 50ft. long by loft. wide, 

 and are constructed of two Courses of matching with a layer 

 of felt between, over a skeleton framing of 2in. x 5in. quar- 

 tering. Shelters "B and Ba," and Lobby Flights "A" are 

 heatea by gas hot-water apparatus, the gas boilers being 

 attended to from the outside, and having outlets only to at- 

 mosphere; thus almost any and every species "of bird can be 

 comfortably housed according to their several requirements. 

 The shelters are stained exteriorally with " Solignum " 

 (medium brown), with windows and doors picked ouit in very 

 pale sea-green; the interiors are coloured pale sea-grcien — 

 Hall's Washable Distemper being "the colouring material. 



The woodwork of the flights is also covered with 

 medium-brown " Solignum," fthe 'netting receiving a coat of 

 Brunswick-black varnish before being stretched over the fram- 

 ing, and the whole result is a most tasteful and handsome 

 structure, which would adorn any garden or private park. 



The trees and shrubs arc looked after by the gardeners, 

 and kept perfectly trim and in order, yet this does not effect 

 the provision of cover for the birds and the work is carried 

 out so as not to disturb the birds. 



The shelters are kept spotlessly clean — the aviary 

 attendant is at present with " the colours," but his wife is 

 most effectively attending the birds, etc., while he is serving 

 his King and Country. 



