148 Song Birds. 



I do not myself find any particular difficulty in 

 keeping foreign birds. In gardening it is much easier 

 to grow exotic plants to something like perfection, 

 than to keep in good health our little hedgerow 

 flowers ; and with birds I fancy it is much the same, 

 the temperature of our rooms suiting best those of a 

 wanner climate. 



Amongst the many kinds of pretty foreign birds I 

 know nothing prettier for a work-table or stand than 

 a small bell cage full of the beautiful Avadavats. 

 They are very small birds, smaller than a Wren, and 

 with their bright red beaks, spreading, fan-like tails, 

 and exquisitely spotted plumage, are really lovely. 



They sit in a line on their perch, singing, such a 

 song as it is, continually ; being generally affectionate, 

 but quarrelling at night for the inside place. 



2. The wire of the cage for very small birds like 

 these should be very fine, mine is only of tin ; but 

 such birds as these are worthy of a silver or of a 

 plated-wire dwelling ; there would be some advantage 

 also in giving them such homes in showing their 

 pretty movements. Brass must not be used ; and zinc 

 is too cold ; while the colour of gilding is not nearly 

 so becoming as that of silver. 



3. In buying delicate foreign birds, I must strongly 

 advise all purchasers to have the birds sent to their 

 home by the dealer ; he perfectly understands how to 

 deliver the bird in the safest manner and in the best 



