152



Correspondence , Notes, etc.



birds do fight—as even the two sexes of the same species will do at times—

the vanquished is exceedingly likely to be killed or hopelessly injured on

the spot.


Some plants, at all events, can quite well be grown in aviaries; but

this is so well known that I need say no more about it. I do not see why

rock-work should be used in ordinary aviaries at all; it is not a natural ad¬

junct in most cases, as few of the birds commonly kept are rock-frequenters,

so that it is out of place, besides providing a refuge for vermiu. In such

places as the large Gulls’ aviary at the Zoo, the case is of course different.


The greater the distinctness of the kinds of birds housed in an aviary

the better they are likely to agree, due regard being had to their respective

Strength in associating them. I should have thought that, all aviculturists

knew by this time that it is nearlj'-related species, or several pairs of the same

species, which fight the worst. Of course I know there are some excep¬

tions; with Budgerigars and Javas, for instance, several pairs will thrive

together : and some birds agree so very well that they insist on interbreed¬

ing; but of course special arrangements can be made in these cases.


I frequent the Zoo a great deal more than Mr. Wiener does, and have

always paid particular attention to the great flight aviaries, especially the

Parrot aviary, which is my favourite; indeed, I must say that I never

appreciated Parrots properly until this was erected. Both from the

aesthetic and the scientific point of view, the opportunit}' of observing

the larger Parrots on the wing is one for which everyone interested in

birds ought to be sincerely grateful; and if the new management at the

Gardens had done nothing else as yet but put up and stock this aviary, it

would deserve the highest commendation it has received. I cannot agree

with Mr. Wiener that Parrots in a wild state are sluggish birds on the wing,

only flying from necessity ; in India I found the common Ring-necked

Parrakeets most active birds, constantly on the wing in rapid flight, and

anyone can see at the Gardens how the Cockatoos enjoy the use of their

wings ; while even the Macaws, so sluggish at first, are now often to be

seen indulging in aerial exercise.


As far as attention from the public goes, the outdoor Parrots get far

more of it than those indoors, as the noise in the Parrot House has always

tended against its popularity. I have specially made a point of looking up

the inmates of this aviary on any especially vile day on which I happened

to visit the Zoo, and then visiting the Parrot House ; and I always found

just as many birds looked “ humpy ” qnd miserable in the indoor as in the

outdoor abode, while on fine days, even if cold, there was no comparison

between them, the enjoyment of the outdoor section being so obvious.

Moreover, the mortality outdoors, Mr. Bertling tells me, is lower than it is

in the house.


I must say, however, that I think it was a great pity the Crow tribe

were removed from this aviary, where they were seen to advantage in con-



