on aviary notes from South Attstralia.



45



With the exception of Pekin Nightingales and Silver-eyes

I devote my attention entirely to the smaller seed-eaters.


There is a fairly large lemon tree growing in the centre of

the open part of the aviary, and several smaller bushes of Acacia

armata round it and in the corners. Being evergreen and rather

prickly, the birds seem to prefer the acacia to all other bushes to

build their nests in when flying wild. That is the reason why we

plant them in preference to others.


I also keep lucerne growing on about half of the open space.

This grows to a height of about 14- to 2 ft. Every morning in the

summer I set a fine sprinkler going over it, and this helps to keep

the ground cool and moist.


The birds love this, and during the heat of the day, when

the thermometer soars up to 110° F. in the shade, they are nearly

always to be found in or under it, and I am certain that the moist

shade which it affords is very beneficial to them.


Around the edge of the open portion are planted various native

tufty grasses, the seeds of which are greatly relished by the birds.


In the enclosed portion I have placed a few hollow logs, but

the majority of the nests are made of cigar boxes and in these

most of the birds prefer to make their nests. I cut a small



opening towards one end of the front, thus



and place



them with the lid on top, so that they can he easily opened

and the contents examined. Those that prefer to build their nests

in the bushes are the Pekin Nightingales, Orange and Madagascar

Weavers, Gouldian, Bicheno, Cherry and Firetail Finches. I find

the latter quite hardy and, with the exception of the Zebra Finches,

they breed more freely than most of the others.


The Pectoral Finches almost invariably build their nests in

the tufts of grass and quite close to the ground.


During last season an African Silver-bill cock mated up with

a Bibfinch hen and successfully reared three young ones, which were

midway between the parents in size and colour, but instead of bibs

had barred marking on the throat similar to a male Zebra Finch.

I also reared a hybrid between a Parson Finch and a Long-tailed

Grassfinch. This turned out a hen, which mated up to a Grassfinch



