FOREIGN BIRD KEEPING IN A VI ARIES. 



97 



readily let down at any time for cleaning purposes. 

 These tiers of nest boxes supplied the birds both with 

 a number of cosy winter shelters and private nesting 

 places during the breeding season. 



Just in conclusion I may say that all interior stan- 

 dards are stout natural branches, with their bark on ; one 

 of these stands out prominently in an accompanying 

 photograph. As will be seen, they lend quite a 

 picturesque appearance to the aviary. 



PLANTS AND BL;SHES. 



In my case gooseberry bushes, old and overgrown 

 ones, were there when I enclosed the space. To these 

 I added two or three privet bushes. Among these 

 bushes are growing now the small perennial sunflowers, 

 rudbeckia, golden rod, wheat, oats, meadow grass, 

 nettles, groundsel, etc., making a thick jungle, and sup- 

 plying nearly all the green food necessary, though I 

 give the birds a regular supply of same so as to save 

 the growing bushes as much as I possibly can. The 

 effect of this arrangement is very fine, almost tropical, 

 as will be seen from the photos. 



FOODS. 



Seeds. Canary, white and spray millet, and dove 

 mixture. Of these there is always a supply in the 

 various hoppers. At intervals, according to season, I 

 scatter on the floor of the aviary sunflower seed, hemp, 

 blue maw, oats, and summer rape. The last-named is 

 not eaten to any extent, but it springs up and the birds 

 take it as green food. With cuttlefish bone, and grit, I 

 am rather lavish, as I consider them both very impor- 

 tant and beneficial items. 



Soft Food. After experimenting with various soft- 

 food mixtures for the past twelve months, I find the 

 following one of the best. It keeps well, does not turn 

 sour even in very hot weather, and is very nourishing. 

 Take of a first-class partridge or game meal, ants' 

 cocoons, dried flies, boiled potato, and stale household 

 breadcrumbs, equal parts; make crumbly moist, and 

 then add a liberal sprinkling of grocers' currants. 



