i6


is probably due to the fact that the Britishers are mainly insectivorous,

while the foreigners subsist chiefly on fruit. vStri<5lly insedlivorous birds

are hard to cater for, but fruit-eating birds, on the contrary, are scarcely

more trouble than seed-eaters. Also, fruit-eaters can be supplied with their

natural food in its natural form, while insect-eaters have to be fed chiefly

on artificial substitutes for the live insects which are their proper diet.

Honey-eaters, again, are fairly easj^ birds to provide for, as honey can be

given in its natural state, and milk-sop forms an admirable substitute for it.



There was some discussion recently in the Feathered World as to the

number of birds which an aviary of a given size would contain, and as to

how the capacity was to be reckoned. The better opinion seemed to be that

the ground area of the aviary was the most important element in the calcu-

lation, and mere height a secondary matter. This is, no doubt, correct.

An aviar}^ ten feet high will comfortably accommodate very few more birds

than one half that height, although it will give the inmates more room for

exercise. As Mr. Fulljanies pointed out, it is an excellent plan to build

bird-room aviaries in two tiers, one above the other. If the room be ten

feet high, five feet can be allowed for each aviar}"-, which is generally ample.

The upper aviaries can be used for breeding, while the lower ones are occu-

pied by birds kept only for show. The upper aviaries are even more

secluded than those which go from floor to ceiling, while in the lower ones

the birds are kept better under observation. But if the room be much less

than ten feet in pitch the lower aviary is apt to seem wanting in height,

and the plan does not answer so well.



At the last Palace Show the specimen of the Blue Sugar-bird [Dacnis

cayana) exhibited by Mr. Fulljanies aroused much interest, and it was stated,

we believe correctly, that it was the first female of the species ever imported

alive. This autumn a few more have arrived, all, like Mr. Fulljames's bird,

females. For the information of those who have not seen it, we may men-

tion that the hen is slightly smaller than a Goldfinch, the general colour

being a rather dark metallic green, with pale greenish blue head and ashy

throat. The legs and beak are dark, and the latter is not curved. The male

is described as being a lovely blue and black bird. It is strange that the female

alone should be imported. This bird, and the Yellow-winged Sugar-bird

{Ccereba cyanea), in spite of their apparent fragility, seem well adapted for

captivit}', being very tame and living well on a diet of milk-sop, fruit, and

honey. They seem much hardier and easier to keep in condition than

Tanagers, and are certainly more attractive on account of their more cou'

fiding disposition and more graceful movements.



The Committee of the L. & P. O. have provided at their approaching

Show a class for Mannikins, Waxbills, and Combasous; one for Weavers and

Whydahs (except Combasous) ; and another for " any other variety of Seed-

eating bird." The result of this frankly unscientific classification is that

Grass-finches are grouped with Finches, Grosbeaks, and Buntings, and the

judge has to take upon himself to decide which species are to be considered

Grass-finches and which Mannikins or Waxbills — not always an easy matter.

Would it not be better either to name in the schedule every doubtful species

likely to be shown, or to refer to some recognised list }



