196 GARDEN AND AVIARY BIRDS. 



THE BEST BIRDS TO KEEP. 



For a good large outdoor aviary there is nothing 

 to beat a collection of large insectivorous and fruit- eating 

 birds Jays, large Mynahs and Babblers, Lories, Bar- 

 bets, &c. ; and these are all easily kept on simple food. 



For a small verandah aviary, such birds as the 

 Budgerigar, Java Sparrow, and Pekin Robin, will certain- 

 ly give satisfaction ; all these three can be kept together 

 in a space about six feet square. The Budgerigar and 

 Java should breed well in such a home. Very small 

 birds, suitable for cages only a yard square, are the 

 Avadavat, Japanese Munia, Zebra Finch, and Silverbill. 

 These may be associated with Canaries in a small 

 aviary. If it be desired to breed good-sized birds, the 

 Collared and Crested Doves, Rosella Parakeet and 

 Cockatiel, will be found suitable tenants for a large aviary. 



For song the Shama and Peko are most to be re- 

 commended to the beginner, unless he is satisfied with 

 Canaries. 



TRANSPORT OF BIRDS. 



It may very well happen that an amateur in India may 

 wish to send or take some birds home, and I have been 

 careful to indicate which species are rare enough there to 

 be worth shipment. For sea transport birds need not be 

 allowed so much room in their cages as is necessary in 

 the case of a permanent habitation, though the more 

 space they have the better. These cages should be of 

 the box pattern, wired only in the front, and should have 

 for a floor a wicker grating above the draw- tray, as this 



