255 



Corre5pou^ence. 



MR. AITCHISON'S FINCH AVAIRY [see plate). 

 Sir, — In answer to your query re \\\y aviar}', I fear that 

 owing to a long illness I have not much to tell. The aviary is 

 23 feet long and built against the S.W. side of the house. Of 

 the entire length, 10 feet is devoted to a shelter shed, which is 

 divided into two compartments, communicating by a sliding 

 door of wire netting ; the shelter is glass on three sides, lined 

 on the inside with wire netting ; its roof is thatched with 

 heather. The entire structure is 9 feet high at the back and 

 7 feet at the eaves. The shelter is well stocked with branches 

 and various kinds of nesting receptacles ; the temperature of 

 the shelter, notwithstanding the nights being very cold, has not 

 as yet been lower than 50^^ F. The flight is of wire netting, 

 except the end which is of glass, with a sliding door for en- 

 trance ; it is well planted with trees and bushes, and also well 

 provided with nesting receptacles, under a board, which runs 

 along the entire length of roof at its highest point. Outside 

 the flight, as a protection against cats, I have planted a row of 

 short holly bushes which answer the purpose excellently. 

 For reasons already stated its capabilities have not yet ibeen 

 tested, as up to the present a pair of Bullfinches and eleven 

 Gouldian Finches have enjoyed sole occupancy of its space. 

 I have noted that the Bullfinches alzvays sleep in the shelter, 

 while the Gouldians «<?«;■/)/ rt:/zfaj'5 sleep in the open. I liave 

 also noticed that the cock Gouldians have been in really 

 splendid condition, while the hens have been more or less in 

 poor feather, with a strong disinclination to pair; nevertheless 

 I have now (October 20th) two nests of Gouldians in the 

 shelter, though how many there are in each I cannot say. 

 These particulars are I fear very meagre and uninteresting, the 

 photo however supplies a very good view of tlie aviary and a 

 general idea of its arrangements. My Tanagers— Superb, 

 Violet, Enierald, and Tricolour are in large cages in my green- 

 house. Do you think I could turn the Emeralds into the 

 aviary, and is it probable they would agree with its present 

 inmates.' They are fed on banana, orange, Arthur's unxture 



