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duck washing, and indeed most of the wading birds wash in this

way, the Reeve being the only one I have seen flapping its wings

to wet itself.


I had a very large pan in the aviary which only the Red-

crested Cardinals would use. Thej^ used to look very funny

standing in the dish with only their heads above water, but they

never seemed to be at all alarmed. The Brown-throated Conures,

Rosellas and other Parrakeets simply walk through the water

about ten or twelve times, before they fly up to dry themselves.


I wish Parrots were not so destructive to plants and trees

for they are extremely nice birds. A very large Alexandrine I

used to let out in the garden would cut through stout branches

as easily as one could break a match. He also did his best to

destroy an aviary, so I was reluctantly compelled to part with

him, although he was the tamest and most affectionate bird I

have ever had.


[The fadt of birds existing through the winter in a kitchen without

apparently suffering any ill effects, is no proof that such a place is well-

suited for keeping them in.— Ed.]



A PARADISE FOR BIRDS.


[The following interesting account of a “ Bird-lover’s home,” near

Adelaide, which was recently visited by members of the Australasian

Ornithologists’ Union, is taken from the Australasian of December 14th,

1901, and has been kindly sent to us by Mr. John Sergeant.—E d.]


“ Those privileged to stay there woke in the morning to the song of

native Thrush and chatter of Brush Wattle Bird, and standing 011 the

balcony could see, amongst a wealth of roses and imported flowers, what

are usually regarded as denizens of the bush in search of breakfast or

preparing for a coming brood. Upon one path a little Blue Wren—polj'-

gamist of the first rank—led a troop of four less showily attired, but

equally perky wives, and selfishly repelled them when some delicacy was

found; female rights, on that occasion, being evidently absent from his creed.

Where scarlet bottle brushes swayed, the New South Wales Honey-eater—a

pretty creature in black and white and yellow garb—clung closely to their

branches, and probed the blossoms for the nectar there. A leaden-coloured

one was on Teconia blooms ; a third species, the “ greeny” of one’s boyhood

days, investigated the opening flowers of the silky oak. The singing

variety was never far away, its double notes coming at intervals from

melaleuca boughs that overhung a portion of the drive. Whilst one

watched, a Black and White Fautail, whose voicings had been heard

throughout the night, lit near one’s feet, seized some (to us) invisible prey,

passed to verandah post, and plucked a cobweb there, then went nest¬

building in a ficus tree. Another glance showed Crested Doves at large,

whilst White-backed Magpies’ notes and chuckle of the large Kingfisher

proved the presence of those birds. The “voice of the Turtle” was



