Some Experiences.



171



necessary shade, and when the leaves are off, the birds have the

benefit of any sun which may be vouchsafed to us, and are protected

from north and easterly winds. They do not mind frost I find (as

long as their food is not frozen) if they have a dry place and are

protected from draughts. Alas ! this eligible building site is now

fully occupied, and I shall have to close my doors and steel my

heart against more Owls.


In conclusion, I may perhaps be allowed to express my deep

indebtedness to Mr. Meade-Waldo for his great kindness in naming

my Owls for me and advising me as to their treatment. I have

never appealed to him in vain, and any success that I may lay claim

to is in reality due to his knowledge and generous assistance.



SOME EXPERIENCES.


By Alfred Lockyer.


The following notes have been penned in response to the

Editor’s appeal for “ copy.” They have no scientific value, but may

perhaps serve as “ padding,” and so help to save some forthcoming

issue of the Avicultural Magazine from undue shrinkage. They deal

more with the ethical than the practical side of aviculture.


In the course of a fairly long life, I have seldom been without

furred, feathered, or other dependants. The list includes dogs, cats,

rabbits, hedgehogs, tortoises, guinea pigs, rats, mice, poultry, pigeons

and numerous other birds, but my experience leads to the conclusion

that an outdoor aviary, stocked mainly with foreign finches, parra-

keets, canaries, and other hardy granivorous species, yields the

maximum of pleasure with the minimum of trouble. The latter

consideration is important where, for half the year, the proprietor

can only secure a few minutes of daylight in the early morning on

week-days for attendance on his pensioners.


The first domestic aviary seen by the writer when a boy, had

previously been a stable, or rather loose box. It was roomy enough,

but the lighting arrangements left much to be desired, and it was by

no means proof against rats. However, with all its faults, it so

captivated his fancy that he there and then resolved to have some-



