AND FURNISHED. 269 



various elevations around the room ; some in the boughs 

 of the potted fir-tree in the middle, or in the branches of 

 furze nailed in the corners, and on the side walls, as 

 though cheering with their company and conversation the 

 breeding birds, which, seated on their nests in the little 

 boxes, look calmly around, and seem to enjoy the sports of 

 their companions as much as if they shared in them. The 

 floor is strewn with fine dry sand, as all aviary floors 

 should be, and kept scrupulously clean. There is a good 

 supply of green food in the shape of groundsel, and the 

 seed and water vessels are kept replenished. Some of the 

 birds are quite young, just learning to fly. One of the 

 Canaries is sitting upon Nightingale's eggs, and great results 

 are expected from the mingling of the young of two such 

 songsters as * shade-loving Philomela,' and the sweet 

 songster of the Canaries, which by the way may be con- 

 sidered as a naturalised bird among us, it having been 

 induced to breed in the open air, at the Queen's marine 

 villa, Osborne, Isle of Wight, and one or two other places 

 in this country. But to return to the aviary, which it has 

 been seen may be on a large or small scale. One very 

 extensive has been constructed at Knowsley, in Lancashire, 

 by enclosing a considerable space of ground with wire net- 

 ting thrown over the tops of the trees, and supported by 

 posts or iron rods. Within that enclosure are reeds and 

 aquatic plants, shrubs, furze bushes, tall grass, and plants 

 producing seeds, of which the various birds which here 

 dwell as in a state of nature are fond. Catharine of Russia, 

 we are told, formed an aviary on a similar plan. But the 

 best and most accessible specimen of a large building of 

 this description is the aviary at Kew Gardens. 



Few bird-lovers, however, can indulge their fancy to 

 anything like this extent ; few even can have an aviary at 

 all ; but most have to be content with cages, of which we 

 shall presently have to speak. Those who have a con- 

 servatory, with space in it which they can spare, will do 

 well to make it answer the purpose of an aviary also, by 

 placing ornamental cages amid the plants, the warmth 

 required in winter for which will also conduce greatly to 

 the health and comfort of the feathered inmates, provided 



