43 



the loss of many an eye through it. Formerly I used to give my birds crashed 

 mortar, and some of them having weakly eyes, I examined them, when there did 

 not appear the slightest sign of a peck from other birds, but appeared, weakly, as 

 though dust was in them ; I washed them with alum and other eye waters, some 

 of them baflBed me, and the birds lost their sight. I began to suspect there was 

 something wrong, and, after consideration took away the mortar, the result taiight 

 me that I had removed the cause. 



Gravel or grit is absolutely necessary ; my birds have always gravel. 1 think it 

 ■would be an inprovement in getting the grit or small stones that are washed up 

 after a storm or dry windy weather, by the paths or gutters, and taking half 

 pavel and half grit, mix it together; my object in this is, that some of the gravel 

 is so fine, not possessing su£9cient little stones, which are so essential to assist in 

 grindingand digesting their food. In giving them gravel and grit this must not 

 be done in a careless or slovenly way, or you may experience what I complained 

 of as regards the eye ; for where there is a number of birds flying about the aviary 

 or loft, and coming in contact with gravel and grit causes the dust to get into 

 their eyes, but place the gravel and grit out of their way In flying. 



There is scarcely any Jthiijg that I would sooner call your attention to, than 

 not to allow, if possible, a single particle of dust in your aviary or loft. I 

 would not have the gravel or grit in my aviary or lofts was it not absolutely 

 necessary, and it is placed very cautiously, aftet my aviary or lofts are well 

 scraped and swept. It will take you some years before you have tried as 

 many experiments as I have — some to my sotto'w, but would occupy too 

 large a space here to give an account of all the results. 



With regard to their food, I think there cannot be two opinions, but that 

 beans, unquestionably are the best food possible to give the Almond Tumbler, 

 (provided you can procure them small enough) and 1 would give them nothing 

 else, even through the breeding season, running the risk of choaking a few 

 young ones in the nest, provided I could geit all the old ones to feed upon 

 beans, but as some of the very short-faced breeders will not, you are Under 

 the necessity of letting them have tares as well. Let your beans and tares be 

 old, and of the best quality that money will purchase, for it will be cheap in 

 the end to you. If the laying out of money is not a consideration to you, and 

 if you ever saw a beautiful sample of very small beans (although new) buy 

 them and lay them aside for two years, and it will more amply repay than 

 laying down wine, or money in the funds. The food next to best small beans, is 

 sound old tares, and prime hard peas ; old wheat is nourishing and fattening. It 

 is well to give your birds a change of food, particularly when they are feeding 

 their young, they eat more and feed their young better ; but small hard beans 

 invigorates, braces up, and makes your birds hardy. 



I will inform you the manner in which I feed and water my birds, after trying 

 all kinds of hoppers, or other utensils, I found the most simple way the best ; 

 I informed you that I parted my aviary. I have pieces of wood five feet long, 

 one inch and a half high, placed parallel with the partition, not exceeding two 

 inches distance from the partition : should you find that one inch and a half is 

 enough so much the better, it prevents the birds dirtying the food; there are 

 pieces of wood at each end the width you have it — no bottom, and not a 

 fixture, that you may be better able to free it from dust at times, and by placing 

 bits of wood you can make as many partitions as you please, and give them various 

 kinds of food in the partitions, such as beans, tares, peas, &c. &c. likewise gravel 

 and grit ; there is no top or board overhanging it as there is to a hopper, but 

 it is more lightsome, which is an important thing on dark days, amongst the short 

 days. 



With respect to the manner in which I water my Almond Tumblers, I am fearful 

 I shall give you a lame account ; I use a kind of earthen carboy with an earthen 



