former species is perfedlly inoffensive with other birds. The hen

differs from the cock only in her slightly duller coloration. I

have never known this bird eat mealworms, of which the Parrot

Finch is very fond.


In May I received from Mr. Frostick a pair of White-

crowned Larks from lyoanda ; though rare, I can hardly

recommend them as interesting. They are purely ground birds,

but now and again rise two or three feet into the air with a

feeble fluttering flight. They become very tame, but are too

feeble to compete with birds of stronger will for mealworms,

which are their favourite article of diet ; they thrive well on the

usual seeds together with egg-food and ants' eggs. The cock

has rather a comic expression of self-importance and seriousness,

and is withal a handsome bird in his quiet dress of black and

white, the hen being more soberly attired in sandy buff.


One word of warning on the question of nesting material.

I was tempted to supply my birds with aloe-fibre ; they certainly

highly appreciate it (especially Aurora Finches and Magpie

Mannikins), but a bird once entangled in it is practicall}^ lost

unless quickly noticed ; and several severe losses have induced

me to abandon it. I now chiefly use hay, and this with

asparagus sprays, moss, and cotton wool seems to meet every

requirement, and such material is perfedlly safe. Weavers are

quite content with rather long fresh grass.


It seems generally held by aviculturists that a conserva-

tory is an unsuitable building wherein to place an aviary, on

account of the necessarily wide range of temperature it is

subjedt to. I confess I fail to see the force of the reason given.

In most climates of the world (though with some notable

exceptions) there is a very considerable difference between the

day and the night temperature, and this is markedly the case in

South Africa, whence we get- so many Finches. This facSl is

recognised by gardeners, who carefully maintain this variation

in the temperature of their glass-houses. Why should birds

require different treatment from plants in this respect ? If in

their native climate birds endure a lower temperature at night

than during the day, surely the same conditions will suit them

in confinement. Of course the efifecft of a hot sun shining

through glass is decidedly distressing to birds if they are

unable to find shelter from the rays, but this is easily arranged

by the use of an outside blind or a light wash on the glass, and

also by the provision of sheltered nooks in the aviary. I believe

other members of the Society have their aviaries under glass.



