2150 Correspondence. 



15— Zebra Finches hatched out three young (believed three). Noted 

 Ribbon Finches had new nest containing three eggs. 

 „ 17— Ribbon Finches commenced to incul>ate ngain. 

 ,, 20— Bengalese have three eggs 

 „ 21— Bengalese commenced to incubate. 

 ,. 22— Spice Birds nesting in rush nest. 



24 — Addidto aviary one pair each Orange-cheeked Wa.xbills, Common 

 and Green Avadavats, Common African Wa.xbills, and Red- 

 billed Weavers. 

 „ 28— Ribbon Finches hatched out five young. Spice Birds have two 

 eggs. 

 It was the reading of "Aviaries and Aviary Life" which finally 

 decided me to start an outside aviary and my anticipations have been more 

 than realised. My experience of keeping birds in the house has not been a 

 happy one— I bought sixteen birds of various kinds and within two months 

 eleven of them were dead ; of the two surviving pairs, the hen of one pair 

 laid seven eggs and ate them all, and the hen of the other pair laid twelve 

 shell-less eggs, each time all but succumbing to egg-binding. Since putting 

 them out both the above pairs have hatched out two broods of young. Fur- 

 ther as will be seen from above I have boughtsome of the fragile Waxbills and 

 put them straight out of doors (Yorkshire) with no ill effects, in fact I have 

 not lost a bird of any kind, though the weather here has been very unfavour- 

 able. I may say that I fear I have an egg-eater in the aviary as I have lost 

 three clutches of eggs and I suspect a Combasou as it is always peeping into 

 nests. Incidentally, neither of my Weavers show any signs of coming into 

 colour, isn't it time ? About two weeics ago my Grey Singing Finch, which 

 up to then had not sung a note, started to sing magnificently and now sings 

 all day on and off. It puts a Canary absolutely in the shade. 



AV. 0. MONTGOMERY 

 Hornsea, Yoi-ks., June 2S/,1P.. 



MY BIRDS. 

 Sir, — In answer to your enquiry re my birds, I hope the following will 

 be of some general interest. I am faced with a difficulty— How shall I start V 

 When I say that I have handled from a Black Cockatoo down to wee Sunbird, 

 it gives one some experience of birds and bird life. 



Pakhakeets : When it comes to handling Parrakeets and Lovebirds 

 it means many bites and nasty words. "Friars Balsam" is very good for 

 bites, but it is better to avoid them, either by a thick cloth or gloves, the for- 

 mer is the best. I will commence with the Queen Alexandras (Hpathopteriis 

 ulesandrK) : to my mind there is no Parrakeet to compare with this lovely 

 species ; by the fuss they are making I have great hopes of the advent of 

 young birds a little later. 



RED-Rl'Mi'r^ {Psephdtus haeiiaihirlKius) have nested and incubated a 

 clutch of eggs, but the eggs proved infertile ; they are now nesting again 

 Peach-faced Lovebirds {Agaporvis roseicoUis), and Black-faced Lovebirds 

 (.1. nhjrigenis) are doing their best, but no tangible results so far. 



I have one pair of Blue Budgerigars, also a hen Blue paired with a 



