98 'AVIARIES, B1ED-HOOMS AND CAGES. 



If you have to cater for the delicate and exclusively 

 insectivorous birds, put in a double portion of ants' co- 

 coons, and moisten the food with about a teaspoonful 

 of Liebig's, Extract of Meat. For the frugivorous birds 

 add to the above mixture an equal bulk of minced 

 banana, apple, pear, split grapes, etc., as in season. 



Fruit. -In an aviary containing a mixed series of 

 birds (as per appended list), a supply of ripe fruit is not 

 only a wholesome addition to the diet, but quite neces- 

 sary to the well-being of some of the species. Banana, 

 sweet water grapes, orange, apple, pear, figs, dates, etc., 

 according to season, may be offered. Fruit must be 

 given only in a fully ripe condition. 



Green Food. In such an aviary the birds eat a lot 

 of the growing stuff, but I always supply flowering 

 grass, dandelion, and groundsel heads in abundance 

 during the summer, and irv winter tender French lettuce. 



THE BIRDS. 



It is really best to confine the aviary to birds of 

 similar size and strength. Yet many bird-lovers find 

 this impossible, and they mix all sizes and all kinds (the 

 photos, show I am guilty of this myself). But it must 

 be confessed annoying losses occasionally occur by 

 reason of this, through a bird suddenly running 

 "amok," whose previous behaviour has been most 

 exemplary. However, as this also occurs when birds 

 of a similar size only are kept together, if a regular and 

 observant watch be kept upon the different individuals 

 the losses are not very great in fact, are few and far 

 between . 



At the same time, in naming the birds I am at 

 present keeping in the aviary, I must disclaim all re- 

 sponsibility for risks involved, as risks there are, and 

 occasionally most annoying losses too. But, as already 

 stated, if careful note of individual dispositions be kept, 

 such should occur but seldom. 



The birds in. my aviary are, roughly, as follows: 

 Diamond and Greenwing Doves, Cockatiels, Yellow 

 and Green Budgerigars, six species of Weavers, Grey 

 and Green Cardinals, Indian Ouzel, Mannikins in 

 variety, Goultdian, Pectoral, Chestnut, Zebra, and other 

 Grassfinches,- Nonpariel, and other Buntings. 



