and I found it successful ; still I think due South is best, unless

very well sheltered.


There is a diversity of opinion in regard to covering the

top of the flight, or leaving it open. I know one owner of a

large aviary who has had it roofed over, and vows that his birds

are healthier for it. On the other hand, I have never had any of

my aviaries entirely covered, and am not aware that my birds

suffered through it. The greatest objection, to my mind, to

having a roof over the flight is, that you are then unable, without

a great deal of labour in watering, to have grass and shrubs and

trees, and all the growing things that give to a well arranged

aviary the appearance of a woodland glade, and that enhances

its attractiveness a thousand fold. Compare a Parrakeet aviary,

with its bare whittled perches, to a mixed aviary, containing birds

comparatively harmless to vegetation, with ivy-covered walls,

lovely green sward and flourishing shrubs and trees ; and you

will at once understand what I mean. Of course the former

makes up to a certain extent by the brilliance of the plumage of

its occupants, but still there is something wanting, and that

something is greenery. Make the surroundings of your birds as

natural as possible, study their requirements, and success will

attend you.


I went the other day to look at an aviary recently erected

at a cost of over _£ioo by a Corporation, in one of their Parks.

The general idea of a long narrow flight, placed against a wall of

imitation rock work, down which in one place a small waterfall

was made, leading into a pool, was very good indeed ; but the

error of having a small dark house or shelter with a low

entrance, not half the height of the aviary, was made. I

prophesied, at the time, that the birds would not go into it, and

have since learned that it is being altered for that reason. The

house or shelter is useless as such, unless it is bright and cheerful.

The birds, except they are forced, in consequence of the food being

kept there, will never enter it, and most certainly will never

roost there ; and this will end by deaths amongst the more

delicate birds as the nights become colder.


The seed should always be kept in the house, as the birds

will become familiarised with the surroundings there, and are

more likely to roost inside ; but, unfortunately, there are

several objections to keeping the insectivorous bird food there,

not the least of which is that it becomes sour much sooner in the

close atmosphere of the house in summer. I, therefore,

recommend a wooden food-holder, made of £-inch pine, the



