312



Mr. Gerald Rattigan,



several months and even years in perfect health in an aviary. This

I have more than once abundantly proved, as I have the fact that

they will keep perfectly fit and well in all weathers and seasons in

an open unheated aviary with merely an open shelter to retire into

when so inclined. On the other hand, I quite admit that there are

undoubtedly some species which do not do well in open aviaries, not

only in the winter, however, but at any period of the year.


An example of these species is the “ Cordon Bleu.” These

birds I have always found extremely delicate and almost impossible

to bring safely through damp, wet winters (in an open aviary) such

as we usually get, owing to the fact that they will persist in roosting

out in the open, unless prevented from doing so. The consequence

being that even in summer I have frequently picked up dead or half¬

dead cordon bleus after a severe thunderstorm during the night, the

birds being literally almost drowned.


While it is not my intention to compile a list of those birds

which can and those which cannot be left in an open unheated aviary

throughout the year I will just mention a few examples of both

species that occur to me at the moment.


Birds unsuitable for open Outdoor Aviary:—



Cordon Bleus

Paradise Whydahs

Tanagers ( Galliste )

Black-cheeked and Violet-eared

Waxbills



Fire-finches

Pintail Nonpareils

Masked Grassfinches

Gouldians



List of Birds suitable for Open Outdoor Aviaries



Weavers {Hyphantornis and

similar species)


Cardinals of all varieties

Parrot Finches

Cuban Finches

Red-vented Bulbuls

Red-billed Weavers

Pintail Whydahs (rather

doubtful)


Zebra Finches



Pink-cheeked and Grey Waxbills

Java Sparrows (White and Grey)

Budgerigars (both varieties)

Red-faced Love-birds

Saffron Finches

Madagascar Weavers

Nonpareil Buntings

Pekin Robins (Hill Tits)


Tanagers (Palm, Scarlet, Blue,


Magpie> and probably Black).



