104 -^ Californian Aviary. 



I Malabar Starling (cj') (I'oliopsiir nmlabarica). 



I Brazilian Hangnest (Icterus jamaicii). 



1 Spectacled Thrush Trochalopterum ca)wnim). 



2 English Thrushes (Turdtts musicus). 



2 English Blackbirds (c?) (Mernia incrula). 

 2 English Skylarks (Alauda an'oisis). 

 2 Bob Whiles (Orlyx 7'irginiaints). 



1 do not know that 1 have many remarks of interest to 

 make about these birds. They are fed on insectile mixture, 

 fruit, lettuce and mealworms. 



There are a good many Thrushes and Blackbirds in 

 captivity here, but none except my own seem to sing. Mine all 

 do, beginning in the late Fall and continuing through Sprang, 

 well into Summer. Perhaps this is because I try to supply them 

 with two or three snails each every day whenever I can get them, 

 and their surroundings in the aviary are as natural as I could 

 make them. 



The larks have seed as well as the food mentioned above, 

 and the cock sings beautifully all through the summer. He 

 sings either on the ground or from a perch, but I never knew 

 him to sing while in flight. They started on a nest last May 

 but never finished it. 



The Blackbirds are both males — I have been unable to 

 obtain a hen so far — but live in perfect harmony. At the time 

 of writing both are in perfect condition and very tame, taking 

 mealworms from my fingers. None of the thrushes have ever 

 lost their timidity, and are as wnld as when I first got them. 

 The cock sings at his best when it is raining gently, and on a 

 thoroughly wet day never seems to tire. 



The Hangnest is a ruffian, and passes a good deal of his 

 time looking longingly at the small birds in the adjoining aviary, 

 but he is lively and tame and cheeky, and the company he is in 

 prevents him from becoming over confident. None of them 

 fear him in the least. I once saw the Skylarks give him a good 

 trouncing for some act of his which had not met with their 

 approval. I should be slow however, in recommending him as 

 an aviary bird, as I feel sure he has great power as well as inclin- 

 ation for mischief should the slightest opportunity arise. 



