39



though from observations made in friends’ indoor aviaries and

cages, artificial light during our long winter nights is a sine qua

non of the indoor aviary ( d ).


In conclusion, my ideal of a garden aviary is simply to net

in as large a space as possible, and to stand inside one or two

shelters after the style of the rustic summer-houses now so

common in the market; and to closely plant the other portion

with a few evergreens and deciduous plants, such as box, arbor

vitae, bush forms of willow, poplar and cheap fruit trees ( e ), with

a few blackberry brambles, filling up the spaces with sowings of

tall growing grasses and cereals ( e ). I am unable to give details for

this year as 1 was taken ill last Xmas eve, and am still too weak

for business ; so mv birds have been left to the care of others

and have simply existed, but I cannot grumble : only five have

died including two of the aforementioned Waxbills (/).



THE WHITE-BREASTED KINGFISHER IN CAPTIVITY.


f Halcyon smyrnensis ).


By E. W. Harper, F.Z.S., M.BO.U.


From “ Bombay Natural History Society's Jojirtial," 29 th July , 1900.


Although in no part of the world can the Kingfisher be

said to be a common cage-bird, on account of the difficulty in

catering for its appetite ; yet anyone who really values gorgeous

colours in a bird can, with very little more trouble than is

ordinarily bestowed upon an insectivorous bird, keep the King¬

fisher in perfect health and plumage.


The first two White-breasted Kingfishers which I reared

were fed entirely upon pieces of fish, cut up to about half the

size of a hazel-nut; also, on small whole fish when procurable,

alive or dead. These birds were procured when just ready to

leave the nest, and kept in good health for four months, when

I presented them to the Calcutta Zoological Gardens. That was



(</) I do not agree with Mr. Page that artificial light is indispensable for indoor aviaries

in Winter ; I never supply it ; yet I have reared Zebra-finches at Christmas time. If new¬

born birds can pass through the long' nights without food, undoubtedly adults can do so.

Moreover, years ago, I tried turning a light upon the seed-hoppers in my bird-room for an

hour or so, but hardly a bird took advantage of it.—A.G.B.


( e ) Some may say these will be destroyed at once; not if the aviarist suits the

number of birds to the space, or space to the birds.—W.T.P.


( e ) For more than a dozen years, I have had several currant bushes in my garden

aviary : but beyond destroying the flower the birds do them but little harm. I think the

redcu-rrant bushes do the best.—R.P.


(/) This may answer in London but it certainly would not do in exposed situations in

the country in Winter, except for very hardy species. —D. S.-S.



