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Ihe Lavender Finch, if able to recover from the prostra¬

tion of importation, is a charming little thing, and will long live

to charm by his soft and tender beauty.


'Ihe Avadavat, if not so common, would be valued by all.

In spite of this, he should find a place in what florists call “ our

selection.”


It has suddenly struck me that I had better stop here. A

story was told some time ago of a poet who wrote some verses

entitled, “Why do I live?” The Editor to whom they were

submitted returned them with these lines: “You ask the

question ‘ Why do I live?’ We will answer it. Because you

sent your poem to us instead of bringing it." My readers will

supply the parallel.


THE BLUE MOUNTAIN OR SWAINSON'S LORIKEET.


f Irichoglossns swa bisoni ) .


By W. OSBALDESTON.


The breeding of this species was accomplished, year after

year for some four years previous to 1S90, at the Blackpool

Aquarium and Menagerie, before the present Tower buildings

were erected. The place was then owned and kept by Dr.

Cocker, and then the birds were well looked after. His house

stood in the centre, with a toy arcade on the one side, and the

Menagerie, Aviary, and Aquarium on the other, and with the

large seal pond in the front, outside, as at present.


The Aquarium, since much altered in appearance, was on

the ground floor, as it is now.


The aviaries and cages were arranged on the upper floor,

along each side of the room in a continuous string, on a two-foot

high brick foundation covered with concrete, and were kept

scrupulously clean. Each cage was 7ft. high, 5ft. long, and 4ft.

deep. The back was a brick wall, with ends, divisions, and front

of strong, well made, one-half inch straight wire. The tops

also were wired, so that the fancy ceiling might not be damaged.

I11 some instances, two of these cages were made into one, and

this was the case with the Blue Mountains’ home. The bottoms

were kept well supplied with fresh grass sods daily. The

temperature, winter or summer, was not allowed to fall below

50—60 degrees Falir.


The Bine Mountains were fed on canary seed, with now

and again some spray millet. Fresh water, for bathing and

drinking, was supplied ' regularly, in large round earthenware



