CHAPTER VIII. 



MANAGEMENT OF CAPTIVE BIRDS. 



AVIARIES. 



THE best place in which to keep and study birds is 

 undoubtedly a garden aviary. In such a building they 

 seem very contented and happy, live long and frequently 

 breed, and give very little trouble ; daily attention to the 

 feeding and a weekly cleaning being all that is absolutely 

 required. 



Such an aviary should consist of two portions 

 a perfectly sheltered house, where the birds can be secure 

 from hot sun, rain, and driving wind ; and an outdoor 

 enclosure of wire-netting, in which they can bask and 

 exercise at pleasure. 



The best way of making such an aviary, where facilities 

 exist, is to partition off with wire- netting one end of a 

 north verandah on the ground floor, and outside to erect a 

 masonry platform as high as the verandah floor, on 

 which should be placed one of those iron structures 

 sold as plant-houses. When this has been netted over 

 the birds can go in and out as they please, and they and 

 their owner can enjoy the shelter of the verandah 

 together when the weather is objectionable out-of- 

 doors. 



