THE



Bvicultural /Ifoaga3me,


BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE


AVICULTURAL SOCIETY.



NO. 6.



APRIL, 1895.



OUR BIRD ROOMS AND AVIARIES.


V. MY AVIARIES.


By Norman H. Jones.


Birds I have always admired and loved, but it is only within the last

two years that I have gone in for practical Aviculture, consequently my

experience is not very extensive, but when I read a request from the Editor

of our Avicultural Magazine for accounts of private aviaries and Bird

rooms, it gave me an impression that a little description of my own might

be of interest. Having decided to put up a small stable and coach-house

for a pony—in prospebt—and having spare ground beyond what was required

for this purpose, I decided to add to this building a couple of wings—one

on each side—in which to keep some feathered favourites. This I did—

giving a good amount of light by placing large windows back and front—-

and adding a skylight, north and south, to each. Into one of these aviaries

I have turned some Java Sparrows, .Saffron Finches, Waxbills, and other

small birds, also some White Java Doves ; these are all in splendid condition,

and have stood the extreme cold through which we have lately passed,

exceedingly well. In the other I intend placing some Budgerigars, and

similar birds, though at present it is occupied by various British Birds. I

may add that the buildings are fairly large, one of them measuring nine

feet by twelve feet, by twelve feet in height, the other being much larger.

They are fitted up with plenty of tree branches, and other perches, with a

good number of snug corners, which I find are the delight of many of the

inmates. I am looking forward to the coming season with interest, for I

quite think that with so much in their favour, I ought to be successful in

rearing many young birds.


I have still to give an account of what I consider my most attractive

aviaries. I have a fairly large green-house, which unfortunately, as far as

the growth of plants is concerned, is overshadowed by a number of large

trees; this is fatal to any successful blooming of plants, and proved rather

disappointing. It occurred to me, however, that upon the staging at the

back of the house (which is quite level, and about five feet from the roof,

and about four feet in depth) could be placed some splendid cages. I

called in a handj^ joiner, who put me up eight to my own design, measuring

two feet by four feet, by four in height, leaving a space of two feet or more

between each cage, in which I have placed either creeping plants or green

shrubs, in pots. Some of the creepers I am training over the cages, giving

a very pretty effect.


Number one contains four pairs of Budgerigars, which appear very busy

just now about some cocoanut husks, in fadt one is now sitting. Number

two contains a pair of Cockatiels. Number three several pairs of Orange

Bishops, which were a beautiful sight last summer. Number four, a collec¬

tion of Foreign Finches. Number five, a pair of Rosella Parrakeets, looking

very effective amongst the green foliage. Number six, small brown and

white Nuns, Combassous, and Cordon Bleus. Number seven a cage of Love

Birds. Number eight, a solitary Crimson Cardinal. On the opposite side



