140 On the Construction and Fitting of Small Aviaries.


detachable they can be easily cleaned. A eonple of little spikes

put in at the back as at D will ensure their hanging firmly.


I do not know whether it is a new idea to supply one’s

birds in the Winter-time with little shelters, open at the bottom,

specially for them to roost in, but when I tried the experiment

there was soon great competition for the possession of these

“ cosy corners.” I have out-lined patterns of two such roosting-

boxes (Figs. 5 and 6) which will perhaps make my meaning



Fig. 6.



Fig. 5.



clearer. Of course such things would be valueless in a well-

sheltered aviary, but my own is rather exposed and the birds

seem to appreciate the protection thus afforded.


Amongst other things, I think I should consider in build¬

ing another aviary, are the advantages of making it, at least as

far as the wire-work is concerned, in separate, easily detachable

sections ; of raising the ground for the floor a foot or so from the

general level; of using patent, wire-woven, transparent sheeting

for roofing and lights (I once used ground glass but the birds

thought they could fly through it, and it had to be covered with

netting) ; of an automatic water supply working from the outside

on the siphon or intermittent spring principle ; of specially

arranging a portion of the aviary so that a camera could be

successfully and readily brought to bear upon one’s birds.


Some, at least, of these “ mult a et mira ” things, many and

wonderful, as the Latin ,primer says, I hope to carry into effect

“ one of these fine days,” but meanwhile I find I am consuming

with elementary trifles a most immoderate quantity of our good

Editor’s space and therefore hasten to conclude, merely

expressing the hope that some of our members, though they may



