290 Mr. E. J. Brook,


some of the flights however being considerably larger. There is

a passage at the back of the inner rooms that can be heated if

required, and from which the birds can be observed without

causing disturbance. This passage is divided by doors at every

18ft. to cut off draughts.


Like all other aviculturists I have experienced both the

joys of success and the mortification of disappointment ; but

careful watching, air, good food, cleanliness, and advice freely

and generously given by members of the Society are making the

joys of aviculture more numerous by a long way than these

disappointments.


When I first began aviculture my losses were mostly

among the Lories, which usually died from fits, and among the

seed-eating parrots which often succumbed to apoplexy, both

brought about from error in diet ; but recently I lost two birds

through accident, which caused my aviary man, who was nearly

in tears, to exclaim, "Well! at first it was fits and apoplexy, now

it is bashed heads and broken necks," and my only way to com-

fort him was to point out how low our per ceutage of loss was

amongst so many birds.


Birds are strange creatures and do odd things. For in-

stance, a hen Crimson-wing Parrakeet lays two eggs now and

then, and sits on them closely now and then, which is not of

much use. One pair of eggs this bird laid I placed under a Rock

Peplar that had just commenced to sit on only one egg, and the

result is most satisfactory.


Last Autumn in one aviary there was a pair each of White-

eared Conures and Golden-headed Conures ; the White Ears laid

eight eggs and reared seven young in a small hollow log. The

nest was rather crowded with this family, but in spite of this the

Golden Heads also used the log as a sleeping place at night.


I am often asked which kind of birds I like best, and my

answer is always Lories and Lorikeets, but that these birds are

only suitable for aviaries, and where great care and attention can

be given. I always find the Lories the most amusing and the

tamest birds in the aviaries ; one of a pair of Red-naped Lori-

keets delights in searching me all over and it is impossible to

frighten the bird. The cock of a pair of Blackcap Lories you



