Occupants of an Aviary. 97 



were his brains devoured. This story illustrates 

 only their natural instincts ; but except under the 

 closest supervision, Tom Tits should not be admitted ; 

 for, although they are the drollest of little birds, 

 hanging on to everything, they hug other birds round 

 the neck to rob them of the very bread or berry 

 in their beaks in a way in which I should be sorry, 

 indeed, to see any of my favourites hugged. 



In an aviary in which we meant the birds to build, 

 we had only Canaries, Linnets, Goldfinches, and 

 Siskins. In a case like this, any old birds put in 

 should be put in in pairs even Goldfinches and 

 Siskins, though, I believe, it is safer that their mates 

 should be Canaries. Then, the young birds growing 

 up may be left to take their own chance together. 



8. In filling an aviary of six feet square or more, 

 I should advise putting in birds in the following 

 proportion : 



Two pairs of German Canaries, two Chaffinches, 

 .and two Bullfinches (both of these young birds). 

 One pair of Linnets, rose or brown ; two Siskins 

 already paired with Canaries, half a dozen each of 

 Grey-pates and young Linnets, four Siskins, and 

 sixteen of the same year's Canaries. 



In an aviary filled like this, there would be eveiy 

 probability of a great many very successful broods. 



It is quite a case in which what succeeds with 

 a few does with the many, and by keeping within 



