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Indigo Bunting and Nonpareil Bunting.—I have not kept

these two together, but, from one of our members’ experience,

should think it possible to do so.


Orange Weaver, Madagascar and Red-billed Weavers.—

The Torquoisine may be kept in lieu of the Cockatiels

if preferred, or a pair of each if the aviary is not less than 30ft.

long.


I have not yet kept either Parrot or Gouldian Finches out

of doors. I am convinced that they can be so kept («).


I find I have omitted the beautiful little Chinese Quail.

A pair of these should certainly be kept. They not only give

variety, being ground birds, but practically live 011 the seed the

other birds scatter on the floor; thus they not only charm,

but help to starve out the mice. They also need soft food and a

few insects.


Winter.—This is usually looked upon as a trying time for

the out-door aviary—so it is for the aviculturist attending to

birdy wants in rough weather—but for the birds themselves I do

not find it so; the trying time is damp, wet weather, whether it

occurs during the heat of summer or cold of winter; dry cold

does not hurt or cause inconvenience to the majority of foreign

birds. At least they appear to feel it less than our native

Britishers. The little Zebra Waxbills, during the sharp frosts

and bitter winds of the past month (March), have been the

merriest, happiest little creatures in my aviary, taking their

morning tub as if it were mid-summer, and spending their time

cuddled up in a ball and shivering! Oh dear no ! but on they

go, flitting here and there, chirping and trilling from morn till

night. The Zebra Finch is I know noted for its hardiness: but

one little fellow this year began to moult early in March last,

and he has come triumphantly through it, and is now (April

3rd) as saucy and impudent as it is possible for a Zebra Finch to

be. This might have passed my notice, for these cold wet days

I have done little but just give them their necessary food and

away again ; but one of my sisters told me one of my Zebras

was looking queer, so I went and had a look at him ; he came at

once to one of the front branches, and, though looking out of

sorts, blew his ridiculous little trumpet with all the assurance

and cheek in the world. I saw at once what was the matter, gave

him a piece of egg as a dainty bit, and increased same in soft

food, and now he is A 1 again.



(a.) I reared a brood of five young Gouldian Finches in an exposed outdoor aviary

last November, which speaks well for the hardiness of the species.—D. S.-S.



