49


Stand on the top of the stove, othen\dse the air becomes un-

healthily dry.


A net for catching birds in the aviary is indispensable. A

common butterfly net does well enough ; but the gauze should

be replaced by light cotton netting.


If the aviaries are built in two tiers, one above the other,

a short step-ladder will be useful for reaching the upper ones.


All seed should be kept in tins, and these should be

arranged in an order which should never be varied — and you

will then at once be able to find the seed you want, even in the

dark.



CORRESPONDENCE.



CAGES V. AVIARIES.

Sir, — Mr. Fillmer says, "Will Mr. Button kindly tell us which are

the birds that do better in a cage than in an aviary } "


Mr. Fillmer interprets nie somewhat too positively. I only said,

" Some birds might do better." In other words, I was merely suggesting

a possibility, My idea is that all small and delicate birds, and birds which

are fastidious about their food, are better in cages. I very much doubt its

being possible to keep a Troupial in an aviary : they want so much

attention about special warmth.* If I were asked to keep a Wren, I think I

should prefer trying to keep it in a cage.t


But readers will kindly bear in mind how very limited my knowledge

and experience is— almost confined to Parrots, and to man}' fewer of them

than I could wish. All I can do is to throw out suggestions which ma}'-

lead to successful results or may not. F. G. Button.



BEALERS' NAMES FOR BIRBS.


Sir, — Seeing the number of queries re names of birds, I think a list,

giving the synonymy of the names of foreign birds, would be very valuable,

as ever}' dealer seems to have a name of his own. I, myself, am never sure

that I am not buying something I have not already got, until I actuall}' get

the bird. Will not some experienced aviculturist oblige }


R. CREIGHTON.


[A letter to a similar effect has been received from Mr. Ai^exander


CUMMINGS.]



BREEBING IN AN OUTBOOR AVIARY.


Sir, — Considering that the year 1897 was my first trial of an outdoor

aviary, and that my birds were not turned out until late in June, I am

satisfied with the result.


* Mr. Duttou probably means a Hang - nest ; for the Troupials (or " Meadow

Starling's ") are better kept in aviaries than in cages, although tamer in the latter. — A.G.B.


t See the letters by Mr. Bonhote and Mr. Mar.shall in this month's Magazine under

the heading " Food for Soft-billed Birds."— Ed.



