290 



console myself, I'm not alone in this respect, for I fear the 

 aviculturist does not exist who can restrict his birds to a given 

 number. A species lie has not before kept appears on the mar- 

 ket and he is lost, and so the story runs. Neitlier need I say 

 anything about furnishings as these are sufficienth' indicated 

 in the various plates. As to cost this need not be heavj-, the 

 aviary herein described cost me about £"] for material, nothing 

 for labour as I erected it myself; but with personal supervision, 

 and a correct plan to begin with, it should not cost more than 

 _(f 15 where outside labour has to be called in, as is unfortunately 

 the case with myself now. 



The Inmates for 1907 : The bulk of these can be very 

 rapidly passed in review, as they have a place, not for breed- 

 ing purposes, but because of their beauty of plumage and 

 interesting characteristics. Of the Weavers I possess only six 

 species, tlie Common Red-billed Weaver {Qiiela quela), Mada- 

 gascar [Fotidia madagascariensis). Black-headed [Hyphantornis 

 melanocephalus). Half-masked (//. vilellinus). Orange {Pyrome- 

 lana Jyanciscaiia), and the Grenadier or Orj'x {P. oryx) ; the 

 Half-masked is not jet wholly out of colour. They liave not 

 harmed their fellow captives, though when in nuptial plumage, 

 quibbling among themselves. Of Doves I have only two 

 species, the Indian Green-winged and the Diamond, the first- 

 named have made no attempt to breed, while the latter have 

 successfully reared to maturit}' six pairs, and had in addition 

 two abortive attempts, one at each end of the .seauon. Their 

 soft colouring is exquisite, and the display of the male is most 

 interesting, while their coo is almost musical ; I can strongly 

 recommend them to my readers as a most pleasing species to 

 keep, being beautiful, minute and amiable to all but their own 

 kind. I will first note those that have bred or made attempts 

 to do so, merely naming other kinds or I shall weary with 

 undue length. The Indian Silverbill [Aidemosynemalabarica) 

 nested and successfully reared one young, which was on the 

 wing by end of March and still lives ; several other abortive 

 attempts have been made ; in each case they chose a nest box, 

 several appear in Plate III. ; and they have made no attempts 

 to build in the branches; on each occasion the box chosen was 



