Introductory Note. xiii. 



second is to be wet and cold, or what is still worse, wet, cold and 

 empty at the same time. 



The bird-keeper gets to know by very trifling signs whether 

 one of his charges is off-colour even to a slight extent. He will 

 often have a shock over this matter ; coming upon a favourite 

 bird standing with half-closed eyes and feathers all on end, a 

 wave of anxiety will pass over him ; but the bird shakes itself 

 and the anxiety is relieved — it was only feeling sleepily happj'^ in 

 the sun. 



Nesting. Given that a pair of birds aie in perfect health, 

 cue of two conditions is necessary if they are to mate and suc- 

 cessfully nest ; they must either have quiet surroundings or else 

 a publicity so complete that they are quite indifferent to noise 

 and passers-by, as in our London Zoo. for example. But the 

 amateur in the country cannot secure this state of things; he 

 must therei'ore do his best to see that ladies who visit his aviaries 

 do not wave coloured parasols, nor children come quickly round 

 corners in fluttering frocks, nor dogs rush about near the birds 

 and bark. One single panic may destroy the efforts of years. 

 Whether the aviaries are sequestered, or are placed where crowds 

 will visit them, one thing is absolutely imperative — the actual 

 site of the nest must be undisturbed. It goes without saying, 

 that site and material, as much as possible like those natural to 

 the species, must be provided for the birds. 



Aviaries. A good position for the front of an aviary is 

 facing south-east, the worst is facing south-west. Birds, like 

 trees and plants, thoroughly dislike a south-west wind. With a 

 south-easterly aspect the birds get the benefit of the early morn- 

 ing sun — and an incalculable benefit it is. 



A word now about Shelter. Let us go back to the wild 

 bird. A bird in its wild state is free to choose that shelter from 

 wind and sun at will ; finches may go into the bushes, sparrows 

 to the eaves, birds of prey to the shelter of the rock, ducks leave 

 the sea for the shelter of the banks and reed-beds of inland 

 waters. Shelter in an aviary is most important, and, fortunately, 

 can easily Ije proviiied by bushes and screens. 



Birds must be able to get away from observation should 

 they want to do so. On the other hand, the shelter must not be 



