n8 On the Birds in my Aviary.


even in the coldest weather, and dart straight into their bath

when it is first placed in the aviary.


Some Lorikeets are their next neighbours ; the Black-

throated Lorikeets, and the rare T. cyanogrammus, the

latter a very handsome bird, not unlike the Blue Mountain,

but larger and more brilliantly coloured. I have fed these birds

entirely on sweetened milk alone, oranges, apples and a little

spray millet. I lost one when first imported but they look in

splendid health and are as lively and merry as possible. They

delighted to scramble up and down the wires trying to catch

some Black-eared Marmosets in the next division. The

Marmosets had visions of Lorikeet for breakfast, but in

attempting to realize this, only had their fingers bitten.


I now come to my new aviary of four divisions, specially

built for the King Birds of Paradise, and with the exception of

one division in which nre my Lorikeets (Loriculus Johnstonicz ),

entirely inhabited by these lovely birds.


I have already written a short account of these Lorikeets

and they have been figured in the Magazine. They are in the

best of health and I hope will be more successful this year in

their attempts at nesting than last, for they only produced two

clear eggs. They sat on them industriously with no result, so I

rescued them before they were broken and sent them to the

Nat. Hist. Museum, as a small offering. Some day, perhaps, I

may be allowed to describe my new aviary, which is the result of

ten years’ experience. I really think it is as near perfection as

possible, at any rate, the birds which inhabit it are in the best of

health and condition and I hope I shall have some nesting ex¬

periences to record in the coming year.



