A Calif ornion Arlary and its Inmates. yi 



end of the tH,!:^iils from the sheds, and that these are double, 

 besides having- spring- hinges so that the chance of birds escap- 

 ing is small. Since these aviaries were built I have never had 

 anv trouble whatever with rats, mice, or sitakes, nor have there 

 been any signs of any of the birds being troubled with any kind 

 of parasites. 



(Outside tlie flight s, and close to the wire, are several 

 well-grown orange and lemon trees, and, as numerous small 

 insects liatch out in tliese at intervals every sunshiny day, that 

 is nearly every day, and fly tlirough the wire, 1 consider them a 

 decided acquisition. It is a very pretty sight to see the insect- 

 ivorous species darting about and pursuing the insects, and 

 two Red-eared Rulbuls reared their young almost entirely by 

 this means last summer. 



The nest-boxes I use are those so often recommended by 

 our Editor. They are easily made, easily cleaned .and easily 

 examined at any time. T hang them in the shed, the covered 

 and open flights, and always try to allow at least two to each pair 

 of birds. Whenever I introduce a new pair of birds I hang up 

 two more nest-boxes, and I am sure in my own mind that this 

 method does away with a great deal of quarrelling and fuss, 

 besides insuring to every bird a warm shelter if he chooses to 

 avail hiuself of it. Perches are of course everywhere. 



Until recently T fed all the birds on a seed table, using a 

 different glass receptacle for each kind of seed. but. since Mr. 

 Goytino very kindly gave me a seed hopper of his own, T have 

 discarded the table and use hoppers entirely, as these save both 

 seed and time. Canary, yellow, white, and red millet, thistle, 

 rape, lettuce, hulled oats, and paddy rice are before the birds at 

 all times, maw, sunflower, and hemp occasionally — the latter 

 very occasionally. When the birds are getting well on in the 

 moult I find that a little linseed, judiciously used, is not only very 

 beneficial, but greatly improves the colour in many species, 

 although it must, however, be used very carefully or it is too 

 fattening. Clreen-food in the shape of lettuce is supplied every 

 morning, also bunches of flowering grass, ripening oats, etc., 

 whenever T can get them. Cuttlefish bone, finely broken charcoal, 

 and a large piece of rock salt are always in the aviary. I buy my 



