on the Size oj Avialies and Cages. 107


new Owls’ cages, and these seem to be an entire success in every

way. The Owls look thoroughly happy and comfortable and

could not be in finer condition. They appear to enjoy sun¬

shine as well as a shower, and when they have had enough of

these they retire to their shelters where they can choose dark

corners or a view of the outer world. The}'’ wink at their visitors

and seem to say “ Took at us and see how pretty and how com¬

fortable we are.”


Suppose this row of cages were thrown into one huge

enclosure, the case would be very different. The public could not

see them as well, and the Owls would not be as happy.


The designer of these Owls’ cages knew precisely what

Owls require and deserves a vote of thanks from those birds and

the public.


Within the next few months the construction of a new

house for Foreign Cage-birds will be taken in hand at the Zoo.

The small and very beautiful foreign finches were in the past

unaccountably neglected at the Toudon Zoological Gardens. In

former years a few were shown in small, totally unsuitable cages

in the Parrot house. When these were abolished, they were all

herded together in one of the three-wired divisions in the

Insect-house where their beauty could not be seen well owing to

insufficient light. When this space was required for the Birds of

Paradise their already diminished number was crowded into one

large cage, and finally the few that were left were transferred

back to the Parrot-house, for want of more suitable accommo¬

dation.


As regards the effect of intelligent care on cage birds, the

article over the signature of Mr. Meade-Waldo in the November

number of the Avicultural Magazine contains hints which every

keeper of, or attendant on, cage birds ought to remember and

take to heart. By studying the individuality of cage birds, even

the most delicate species can be kept in separate cages or divi¬

sions for more years in perfect health than they will endure

months in crowded cages with a mixed population.


About the appropriate size of cages very hazy ideas pre¬

vail. Not one person in ten could tell off-hand the breadth,

depth and height of the cage in which a pet canary lived many



