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flight is 12 ft. by 12 ft., and the covered part 4 ft. from back to

front, by 12 ft. wide. The covered part is a lean-to, against a

brick wall. The roof is of wood, covered with felt, and has two

lights each measuring 4 ft. by 2 ft., which are made of Duroline

(a translucent material). The upper half of the ends and front

are glazed, the lower of wood. I11 the centre of the front is a

window, hinged at the top, which may be closed at will. At

the lower part of this window is another small hinged light

which is left open during cold weather, the larger one being

then closed. The wooden part of the front is composed of four

movable sections fixed in position by screw buttons, so that in

very hot weather it can be made into practically an open shed.

The inside is kept cool during very hot weather by means of a

ventilator at the upper part of each end.


Against the wall is nailed 2-inch wire netting reaching

from the roof to within 2 ft. of the ground, into the meshes of

which are inserted small branches which, altogether, make quite

a hedge, which is much appreciated by the smaller birds. The

aviary is furnished with the usual fixed, and swinging perches,

husks, German canary cages, nest pans, boxes, etc., for nesting

purposes. The flight has a good sized apple-tree in the centre,

with wire work stretched round the tree trunk, and bushes dotted

round about at various parts. The earth was dug out to a depth

of two feet, the hole being again filled alternately with clinker,

the stones sifted from gravel, cinder ash, and sharp sand. This

makes the drainage so complete that, an hour or so after even a

heavy rain, the sand is comparatively dry. The flight is

boarded around to a height of 2 ft.


Being anxious to study the habits of the different species I

usually buy several, and, when satisfied that I understand

sufficiently about them, replace them with others. I feel certain

there are many who kill their birds with pampering, and I find

the majority do better without heat if they have plenty of

exercise.


The majority of the commoner species will live well in an

aviary such as I have described, providing they have a liberal and

varying supply of good sound seed, green food, and insectivorous

food (with a fair proportion of hard boiled egg). Although not

a very pleasant pastime, I always breed gentles as long as I am

able, which, when well scoured, are readily eaten by almost all

my birds with benefit. Bread and milk, cuttle fish bone, and

above all a plentiful supply of fresh water should always be



given.



