28 AVIARIES, BlItD-ltOOMS AXD CAGES. 



Birds like to get on a topmost branch as a rule, and 

 it is a good plan* to place some quite at the top of the 

 building within a few inches of the roof. Even then 

 there will be squabbles for favourite spots (generally 

 those near the wall); in this case the old saying is turned 

 topsy-turvy, and it is the "strongest that go to the wall." 



Should we have a fancy to give our aviary a rustic 

 appearance, this can easily be done by the" aid of 

 Virginia cork (or bark), sold 'nearly everywhere at 7 Ibs. 

 for one shilling. By covering one end with it and filling 

 the open spaces with heather (which will keep green 

 for months) we afford our birds plenty of ideal roosting 

 sites. So closely do they pack in some of these crevices, 

 that I have frequently thought a certain bird had by 

 some means managed to escape from the aviary. 



SHRUBS AND EVERGREENS. 



Where large evergreen branches are required, there 

 is nothing better than the box tree; it is thickly leaved 

 and affords capital shelter. It is superior to pines and 

 yews as these shed their needle-like leaves and cause an 

 unsightly litter. 



It is impossible to have growing trees in anything 

 but the largest flight. Birds in confinement are. very 

 mischievous, and will take a delight in stripping the 

 leaves and buds off directly they appear in this matter 

 Canaries and Hybrids are much worse than British 

 Birds. I once tried the experiment of planting a strong 

 lilac bush in an aviary. This was put in during the 

 winter, when the sap was down and no buds showing. 

 When it began to put on its spring dress the birds were 

 given plenty of green food, but they would not give the 

 tree a chance. It struggled hard to grow, but each bud 

 was nipped off, and even the shooting suckers at the 

 roots. 



TFRF AND SAND. 



In large aviaries, where the^ birds are given a 

 good uncovered flight, turf looks much better than any- 

 thing else at the bottom. In showery weather it keeps 

 fresh and green, and is not at all unsightly, and during 

 the hot summer months a good watering or spraying 



