78 



CANARIES, HYliRIDS, AND BRITISH BIRDS 



which tiini out perfectly futile, while others 

 will comineuce to build on a I'ouudatiou 

 manifestly sandy, in which case it may be 

 well to supply a nest-box. if the bird has 

 shown a determination to settle in that 

 sjjot and no other. Constant ministration 

 to its daily wants seems to have affected 

 the bird's self-reliance ; and though it is 

 wise to leave well alone, it is advisable 

 to maintain a careful w^ateh. Draw a line 

 between watchfulness and inquisitive inter- 

 ference, and there need be little fear for the 

 results. 



The small wooden wicker travelling cages, 

 in which the Cierman Canaries are imj^orted 

 to this country make excellent nesting- 

 ))laces, and are greatly favoured by the 

 birds. The whole of the wicker should 

 be removed from one end, so that the 

 birds can pass in and out freely, and 

 the cages luuig in various parts of the 

 aviary. They may be placed so that all 

 the outer parts are covered by the foliage 

 of plants growing in the aviary, with the 

 open end left exposed for the entry of the 

 birds. A few birch brooms placed uj^side 

 down amongst the shrubs with an old Black- 

 bird's or Thrush's nest ])laced in them are 

 quarters quickly taken possession of ; the 

 birds will build their own nest inside the 

 old one. An earthenware nest, similar to 

 those used for the breeding-cage (sec jiage 

 07) may also be hung here and there 

 amongst the foliage, without spoiling the 

 general effect. 



A good supply of nesting material 

 should be furnished, such as fibrous roots, 

 where they can be obtained; long, line, 

 dry grass from the hedge-side; hay; 

 ])lenly of moss, and, if it can be had, the 

 coarser kind of hclieii ; soft cow-hair 

 makes capital material for nests, and 

 is always kc|)l in stock at the better class 

 of bird-shops: a supply of soft feathers 

 will he ;i|)prcciated. ;is will, also, some 

 rabbit-down and doe-hair. The hair and 

 these latter niatei'ials arc best packed in 

 small nets, and sus|)cn(l(il in positions where 

 the birds can get a good |iull al tlicin. 



liuilding material which a hii'd has 

 some difliculty to obtain, to pull fiMui a 



Pleasures of 

 an Aviary. 



net or other enclosure, is nuicli more 

 appreciated than that which it can pick 

 up. from the floor. The former is carried 

 oil' to the nest with nuich greater triumph, 

 as though a great feat had been accom- 

 plished. This ])rovision of material also 

 prevents birds from jilueking each other. 

 If building material be allowed to lie 

 about, the finer stuff will nearly all be 

 wasted. We have mentioned the materials 

 which ought to be supplied, but there are 

 some which ouoht not to be admitted on 

 any account — such as cotton, wool, or 

 other long, tough stuff, which can become 

 entangled in the birds' feet. Wool becomes 

 twisted round the feet in a most dangerous 

 way, and, as it cannot be so readily per- 

 ceived in a room as in a small cage, a bird 

 may sulTcr exceedingly, and even lose its 

 toes, before the cause of the misfortune is 

 discovered. 



To complete the furnishing we might 

 arrange in the centre of the room, or some 

 other convenient ])art, a foun- 

 tain which could be kept 

 continually playing, thus in- 

 suring the birds a constant su]i]ily of fresh 

 drinking and bathing water. .V small 

 rustic chair, placed in the most retired 

 corner, in which the observer can sit quietly 

 and watch tlic busy world at work around 

 him. will jirovidc a large fund of interest 

 to the bird-l()\er. 'J'he only reciuirement 

 really necessary is that the observer docs 

 sit cinietly. It matters not then if there 

 be a nest within a foot of his elbow, or even 

 built on the back of his chair : things will 

 go on just as regularly in his |)resence 

 as in his absence. Such an a\iary is il- 

 lustrated on page 75. Look which way 

 \\c will, we continually find something 

 fresh to attract [\\r atlciition and interest 

 the mind, and the aviary is ^■oted tlic 

 best room in the house. 



A few items, all iinpiirlaiit in tluar way. 

 ha\c' to be included in our inventory. 



'i'lic door should be strewn 

 Sand and ^^|,,, ,.|^..,,| ^.,,,,| .,,,,, .^ ^, |,. 



Lime. . 



of old lime rubbish will be 



liiund conducixc to the general health of 

 the birds, as \w\\ as furnishing a necessary 



