V/sffs to Mrmbrrs' Aviorics and Bird rooms. 253 



I do not propose to give a list of tho birds, but merely 

 to indicate some of the families kept, in the hope that at a 

 later date Mr. Grossmith will kindly write an article si^iving a 

 list of the birds and recounting many oT the episodes and 

 successeG that have occurred since the aviary has been '\\\ 

 existence. 



On entering the aviary by Lobby-shelter, one was at 

 once struck by the quiet beauty of the struclure, from which 

 I was at once attracted by the flashing |hues of Gold-fronted 

 Fruitsuckers. Australian Moneycaters, Zosterops, various Tana- 

 gers, Gouldian Finches, etc., as they disported amid the 

 branches, and several bay trees in pots — here I paused for 

 quite a time, as these were birds that had always fascinated 

 me. while chatting with their owner concerning them — these 

 alone forming) a collection of which any bird-lover may well 

 be proud. 



Passing from here into the main aviary flight I was 

 met by large numbers of the " Small Ornamental Finches," 

 and a charming picture they were as they flew in and out of 

 the trees and bushes (this flight being sufficiently large for 

 six or seven persons to walk about in and yet leave the birds 

 undisturbed); it was (|uite a naiur.i] ])i(ture, as they went 

 about their business, foraging for prey and feeding the'.r 

 families. Here, in a bush, by the side of the walk (jue 

 looked into the beauiiiul nest of that sweet songs. er, the Grey 

 Singingrtnch, and saw three bonny babes all but ready to 

 leave their snug and safe retreat. Against one of the stand- 

 ards hung a small barrel, and therefrom came the cries of 

 young Zebra Finches, yelling " blue-murder for grub " — these 

 charming plebeians of the bird-world were everywhere, adults 

 and young, nestlings slill being {<^(\. and (itlu-rs just passing 

 into mature plumage; wlial a scolding i)usy crowd lluyucrel 

 What a channing natural picture tht^j ^ formed I 



Next Cardinals claimed my attention. Pope. ked- 

 rrested, and Virginian— the latter have nested several times. 

 but, though young liave liiore than once been fully fledged, 

 none, as yet, have lived to fend for themselves. They were 

 worth their place indeed, being nearly always in the picture, 



