232



Notes for the Month.



I went up to investigate and found the nest complete with the ex¬

ception of the lining of grass with which I understand they finish off

their nest. The nest is visible from almost any window in the house

and it will be interesting to be able to have them so closely under

observation during their nesting operations.


Jays. These birds do not appear to be numerous, though I

once came on a flock of twenty or more, and I can always be sure of

finding three or four in one favoured spot along the dingle. More

recently also a pair have taken up their quarters in a small belt of

trees near the house, where I hope they will settle down and set up

house. Though exceedingly shy and wary at first they are now,

thanks to being left entirely undisturbed, becoming quite tame and

familiar, and even allow me sometimes to approach within a few

yards of them.


The belt of trees they haunt contains a small stream in which

I have formed a couple of ornamental pools, stocking them with

gold and other ornamental fish. Some of these have of late mys¬

teriously disappeared and my man blames the jays, upon whom I

may remark he looks with no friendly eye. But though they cer¬

tainly are to be seen taking a suspicious interest in the pools I

personally acquit them of the theft and believe they only use the

pools for bathing purposes, and I have at the same time a very

shrewd suspicion that the real culprits are the self-same robbers

of my hen-roost.



MONTHLY NOTES FOR JUNE.


By Secretarius.


The season is undoubtedly late, which will be all the better

for the backward ones, and much may be done to improve little

points in the aviary that has escaped notice.


But before we think of anything else let us make sure that

we have a good supply of live food. Live food is practically speak¬

ing the measure of success in a given season. In spite of all that

has been written to the contrary nothing has been found to replace

mealworms and every aviculturist should have a tub or two of these

which are allowed to breed. You cannot expect the parents to rear



