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Black-faced Weavers, procured when out of colour, proved

two cocks, so they have been simply ornamental. The}'- are

interesting for the nests they build and the total dissimilarity of

summer and winter plumage. This change seems to be brought

about by the bursting of colour glands, which 'much resemble

pin feathers. They also at the same time moult the primaries.

They have been successfully wintered outdoors. They bathed in

frosty weather, not simply a splashing, but actually going into

the water and getting so soaked that the}' - could scarcely fly up

to the perches, and they were none the worse, in fact at the

present time they are among the healthiest inmates of my aviary

—one just in colour and the other nearly so . . . and yet


one authority on foreign birds declared it would be cruel to

make the attempt and impossible of success—so much for

theories and theorists.


Bramble Finches, Redpolls and Buntings. I have only cocks

—these give variety to my collection, and are quite harmless—

the Bramble Finch is a beauty, he has moulted twice in the

aviary, and at the present is in splendid condition and feather.

One fadt concerning my Yellow Bunting may be of interest, I

found him boldly attacking a mouse, flying at it, bouncing upon

it with beak and feet, nor did he desist till he had driven his

enemy through the wires.


All the above have been kept in the space aforenamed,

and I have had only six deaths from the time I began

getting them together, up to the present (twenty months) . .


this speaks for itself as to the treatment given—and I am certain

they are happy from the way they sing: birds do not sing when

out of sorts. They are sometimes too noisy when you are in

close proximity to the aviary—heard from the house about ioo

feet away, it is delightful practically all day long, but they are

well looked after and fed as near to nature as possible. I have

just added a pair of Green Singing Finches to my collection—

these are beautiful birds and very sweet singers—-I have them in a

small portable aviary, also outside. I shall add to my feathered

friends some of the rarer kinds, as I am able to increase my

accommodation . . . My experience up to present has only


given me appetite for more. There is one nuisance about outside

aviaries in London, and that is the cats—you can’t be out all day ;

and there they sit, watching, hoping and longing. How I

should like to see them taxed and muzzled—then I am certain

we should, even in London, have many of our feathered

songsters freely nesting in our gardens.



