The Aviary and iis Management.



225



feeding, and then what attracted me as much as anything was

hearing the continual falling of twigs ; the birds themselves

being quite silent except when flying from one branch to

another.



THE AVIARY AND ITS MANAGEMENT.


Extracts from an Address given by Dr. J. G. My can to the Sheffield and

District Cage Bird Society , February md, 1905.


Printed by the Author's permission.


Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,—I have not come here this

evening with the object of criticising the action of those who keep their

birds in suitable sized and comfortable cages, but rather with the idea of

helping those who might be persuaded to prefer housing their pets

(especially the Foreign birds) in a moderate sized outdoor aviary.


Now, the first thing the aviculturist has to consider is the position of

the aviary, and so to construct it as to make his pets as comfortable as

possible and help them to lead healthy lives. With reference to the position

it is important that the front should face South if at all possible, and in

that case the entrance doorway could easily face East.


The foundation of the building should be of concrete or asphalt, and

the floor of the wooden shelter or sleeping compartment should be raised

one foot to a foot and a half from the ground. The whole structure should

occupy a space of at least 8 feet by 12 feet. Half of the building should be

for the bird house and the other half used as a flight. The bird house can

have its front, two sides, roof and floor made of wood, and its back should, if

possible, be at the back part of the kitchen wall where there is a fireplace

with a good flue, as by this means extra heat is obtained; and this wall, as I

will show you later on, can be admirably utilised for heating and ventilating

purposes.


The inside woodwork ought to be covered with medicated felting, and

this in turn should be lined with match-boards closely put together. To

complete the aviary it should be provided with a porch and double doors,

the inner one being covered with galvanized wire netting of 5 in. mesh.

All doors should have simple spring attachments to enable them to be self¬

closing and then there would be less chance of birds escaping accidentally.


The walls of the building should be distempered (Hall’s washable

distemper is the best), cream for the top and a very light green or some other

suitable colour for the side walls. The wooden roof can be covered with

slates or felting, if the latter, it should be well-tarred ; glass or metal roofs

are objectionable. The floor should be covered with zinc or good stout

polished linoleum, the latter I prefer as it can be easily cleaned and is both

warmer and cheaper. By having patent wired glass over the outer door-



