Aviculture in France.



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white dress, and it seems to take a special pleasure in looking after

suburban lawns and pastures, where at all times of the day it can

be seen industriously searching for snails and caterpillars.


If we have an eye to our own interests we will see that our

garden birds are made to feel thoroughly at home, for it would be

hard to calculate the value we receive from their presence. Their

wants are few — they appreciate water to drink and bathe in, trees

to nest in, and chiefly protection from their arch enemy, the domestic

cat, an animal which no amount of care and feeding will cause to

observe the law, “ Thou shalt not kill.” They are quick to learn

where they are safe, and reciprocate friendship that may be extended

to them. The wild birds at Taronga Park are now numerous, and

delightfully tame; and one can watch them at their daily work

without them showing timidity. A pair of Yellow-rumped Tits have

nested on one of the lawns, where many people pass within a few

feet of them every day, and a pair of Red-browed Finches have their

home a little distance away, and the Finches often quietly steal

some of the Tits’ nest with which to build their own, and the poor

little Tits have to work overtime to keep their home together. The

Willie Wagtails are sure that the camels are kept for their special

benefit, and they build most luxurious nests lined with their soft

wool. In winter time, when food is not so abundant, the Yellow

Robins will approach the picnickers on the lookout for scraps of

cake, while the Jacky Winters keep a close eye on the gardeners

when they are digging, in order to snatch up any grub that is

uncovered, and all are doing their bit for the general welfare.



AVICULTURE IN FRANCE.


Mons. A. Decoux writes to say that he bred several Many-

Coloured Parrakeets last year; he also has two Red-Collared Lori¬

keets. From photographs kindly sent we see that his aviaries are

well planned and spacious ; the flights are roofed with large-meshed

wire-netting, giving ample access to the sun and (what is equally

important) to the rain ; an elevated perch, large enough to give a



