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help to any of our members who are contemplating discarding

cages for an outdoor aviary.


[The above was written, and in the Editor’s hands, before the

appearance of Miss Alderson’s most interesting description of her aviary,

in our last number. And I should like to take the opportunity afforded me

by the Editor, in the return of the proof for correction, to add this note of

appreciation and congratulation.—-J. S.]



MY FIRST AVIARY.


By Arthur Gill, M.R.C.V.S,


Some months ago it was suggested in the Avicultural

Magazine that members would be rendering a signal service, to

others of our Society who were inexperienced, if the}’ would

furnish particulars of the construction of their several aviaries.

I have been hoping ever since that some one more experienced

than myself, would start what should be a very interesting as

well as an instructive correspondence.


Doubtless the secret of success in our pastime is the

suitable housing of our birds, and I venture to give a description

of one of my aviaries, not that I can tell you anything new, but

it may lead to criticism and suggested improvements which

would be of much use to many of us.


I have only taken up the study of foreign birds and their

treatment in confinement some three or four years, but must

confess my attack of avicultural fever was very acute and has

lasted some time now and continues to increase in severity every

day. A great friend of mine has to answer for my taking up this

hobby, as it was the fact of seeing his birds that made me wish

to start an aviary for myself.


The Californian Quails were my first favourites, and my

friend, seeing how very fond I was of these birds, gave me a fine

male, in grand plumage: and as soon as I arrived home I wrote

for a hen, which is now so tame that I can pick her up anywhere,

and she will follow me like a dog wherever I go. She has reared

five broods of lovely birds since I had her, and is now one of my

greatest favourites. However, to return to the aviary question :

Having the Quails, I set to work to make a home that I thought

would meet their requirements and protect them against our

variable climate, for, at this time, I was not aware of the hardi¬

ness of this species.


I built my aviary as follows :—The outside dimensions are

16 ft. long, 12 ft. wide, 7 ft. from the ground level. The outside



