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against a very valuable class of birds, while that of “ Wasp-

eater ” reminds us forcibly of the great service they render to

mankind by destroying countless numbers of injurious and

harmful creatures.


This evening, while I was engaged on these Supplementary

Notes, a letter arrived from Mr. Frank Finn, of the Indian

Museum, Calcutta, with an extract from which I will close :—

“ Many congratulations on the Bee-eater article and plate. The

Green Bee-eater (Merops vifidis ) is a very familiar bird out here

and much admired.”—R. P.j



ON THE STOCKING OF AVIARIES.


By the Rev. C. D. Farrar.


When you have built your aviary, the next question will be,

where to get your birds ? I may say as a sort of certainty that

you will have to buy your experience. Do not try to get what

look like cheap bargains ; in the case of foreign birds you will

always find them very dear ones. If you can do so, I should

recommend you to draw your supplies from the outdoor aviary of

some friend or neighbour, as by so doing, although you will pay

more, you are likely to get something that will live. It is far

cheaper to buy one acclimatised bird at ios., than ten just come

over at is. each. In buying of dealers, go to men of repute,

following the advice of Buckstone, who, when certain rabid

sectaries wanted to hire his theatre, replied, “ that he confined

himself to the legitimate Drama.”


On the question of when to buy ? acclimatised birds may

and should be procured at any time ; but for newly imported

stuff the summer should be chosen, as the risks at any other

time are enormous. To purchase delicate little finches in early

spring or winter is tantamount to throwing your money away.


When is the best time to turn birds out ? I should

personally always hesitate to do so till, what Chaucer calls,

“ sweete May ”—(though why he so designated that beastly

month I never could understand)—has safely passed. Then

when a nice warm week of sunshine conies, seize the opportunity

and give hostages to Fortune.


Isolate new comers for at least a fortnight, even though

they look all right when they come. It is better for the birds

themselves, as they have time to get over the hardships of their

past life ; and it is infinitely safer for your own stock; as,

when disease breaks out in a big aviary, it is very difficult to stamp



