Fresh Air for Birds.



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Just now, my Indian Dhyal Bird and “American Robin”

(Turdus migraiorius') are vying with the Song-Thrushes in loud,

clear singing ; for they are out all day long flying about in their

lawn aviaries, in perfect health, and enjoying their cold baths,

in the March sleet showers and gleams of sunshine, while the

Cambazan Turtle-Doves— out all the year round—are preparing

to nest. The Dhyal Bird seems to sing the louder during the

cold of Spring, when the great icy r hail-clouds come drifting

over the blue sky.


A short time ago I had a Blue Thrush that came to me in

a sorry plight, and unable to moult properly. He was old and

looked very miserable. I kept him indoors for a couple of weeks,

in a room with the window almost always wide open, and gave

him a tepid bath every day. Then his cage was moved into a

South verandah, on to a table against the wall of the house,

well protected at one end and over the top. At first he stayed

under his shelter, then he hopped out and ventured into his bath

for a moment or two. After a week he was able to stay out all

day long, new feathers appeared—some white ones among them

— and he began to utter some very sweet, loud notes, clear as a

bell. His wits were considerably sharpened through being in

the fresh air, and he had many engaging little ways. If he

wanted a mealworm or more food (for he was voracious) he looked

about for a little stone which he dropped into his drinking glass

or he lifted up the latter in his beak and threw it down.


A Rock Thrush I had for many years lived out of doors,

winter and summer, and his song and plumage were marvellously

beautiful. The American Robin one very cold day lately opened

the door of his cage and flew out. I placed his cage in the

verandah and hoped for the best, but Spring is rather a fatal

time in which to lose birds.


He flew all over the garden, into the orchard, over to a

neighbouring garden, and late in the afternoon returned to the

verandah and flew into his cage ! It was home to him.



