A Pal's Aviaries. 189 



going to die, but I always said he'd be alright when her husband 

 had gone; and so he was. lie looks very old — quite decrepit 

 sometimes. He is a coward with other birds, and runs away 

 from my Tovi parrakeet, giving up anything to him, but he 

 won't let him have his teasi)oon, as he tips it off as soon as he 

 has finished with it. One day he was straining to look at my 

 mother through the window when over he went, basket and all, 

 and the basket on top of him; he was in a fearful state, calling 

 out: " Hallo, Joey, what'cher want." He is very fond of 

 saying " Joey have a bath. Joey having a bath," but he takes 

 good care )}ot to have one, and if one sprays him he has to be 

 brought round with whisky, which in these days is beyond one; 

 so he goes dirty. His plumage is recovering now\ and he is a 

 lovely colour, so probably the heat of the kitchen set up an 

 irritation which made him peck himself. Anyway, he doesn't 

 do so now, and he's as knowing as he can be. for if he starts to 

 peck Ave powder him with Mennen's powder. Sometimes it 

 is enough to put the tin by his side. Joey is a great favourite, 

 and great will be the loss when he goes West. 



<^fX^ 



A Pal's Aviaries. 



By R. SuCxGitt. 



I recently paid a visit of a few hours to our Editor, Mr. 

 W. T. Page, at Lingfield. and think a description of his aviaries 

 and birds will be of interest to our members. 



There are four aviaries, one large and three small ones. 

 also two pheasant runs; the three small ones are facing, approxi- 

 mately, north, and of course this position would be fatal in the 

 northern counties, but the Surrey hills are in a totally differ- 

 ent atmosphere. The shelters of these are three lean-to sheds, 

 al)out 8 ft. square, with wire flights some 12 ft. by 8 ft. At the 

 time of my visit one was untenanted, and contained a Palaeornis 

 nipaJcnsis, and the other a Blossom-headed Parrakeet and a 

 Scaly-breasted Lorikeet. They were in perfect condition. 



I was sorry to see distinct signs of rats, and am afraid 



