208



Mr. Hubert D. Astley.



HINTS ABOUT AVIARIES.


At this time of the year, when many species are contemplat¬

ing' nesting' arrangements, it is advisable to have a spring cleaning.

Where space allows, if there are no living' bushes, branches of Scotch

fir, when obtainable, last a long time, and can be propped up in

corners. Fresh bare branches can also be put in for perching on,

and these always look better than straight perches from the car¬

penter’s or cage-maker’s shop. Willow is good, and sycamore.

Branches that seem quite insignificant when cut from a tree, assume

tree-like proportions when fixed in an aviary.


If any portion of the latter is turfed, it is a good thing to

remove the old turf, level the ground, sprinkle fine sand, and relay

it with fresh turves. Where there are Thrushes, a nice quantity of

earthworms can be thrown on to the earth, and covered up with the

turf, so that they will not all be devoured at once, but work their

way up in a natural manner ; giving the birds something to do, and

probably affording them some sport in catching them.


All nesting-boxes for Parrakeets, Grassfinches, etc. should be

well scoured.


For Parrakeets, there is nothing to beat natural hollow logs,

with plenty of dry rotten wood inside, but all aviaries are not large

enough to contain them, and everyone has not the opportunity of

obtaining them. Lacking these, the best nesting-boxes are those

which are sold by the Selborne Society, etc. The boxes must be

rounded off in a cup shape within, so that the eggs cannot roll away

from beneath the sitting bird, and in the case of Parrakeets, a hand-

full of dry decayed wood can be put in. They prefer the entrance

hole to he as small as possible, but the box must not be too deep, or

the young might be unable to climb out when they are ready to fly.


Where natural hollow log's can be obtained, they are best

placed horizontally on cross bars under an overhanging eave. Many

birds will be reminded of their parental duties and privileges by the

introduction of suitable nesting sites and materials.


Open baskets may be hung up, where the rain cannot reach,

filled with hay, moss, dead leaves, bents of coarse grass, and

feathers, etc. Many birds seem to like dry bamboo leaves, amongst



