KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



215 



THE AVIARY AND ITS OCCUPANTS. 



No. IX. 

 ( Continued from Page 157.) 



Thus far we have travelled, slowly 

 but surely, over the roughest ground. 

 Having, contrary to a general rule, begun 

 at the beginning, we find no need to retrace 

 our steps. We have given ample instruc- 

 tions, we imagine, on every branch of our 

 subject, — including the building of an aviary, 

 the purchase of " stock," the proper mode 

 of preparing the birds' food, &c. &c. ; and we 

 have henceforward to look on the pleasant 

 side of the picture only. With care and atten- 

 tion, you will have very few deaths, very few 

 casualties, and still fewer cases of sickness. 

 In short, you will possess a " model aviary," 

 and find it a perpetual and inexhaustible fund 

 of amusement. 



We have already taken occasion briefly 

 to direct attention to the fact of the human 

 eye, and general expression of countenance, 

 having considerable influence in the taming 

 of birds and other animals — rendering them, 

 moreover, affectionately playful. If you want 

 anything to love you, — man, woman, child, 

 or animal, pay it unceasing attention. 

 Nothing can long stand out against kindness. 

 A cheerful smile, or a winning look, from a 

 feeling heart, — but why need we dwell upon 

 what everybody ought to know ? 



With this principle ever in view, we always 

 made a point of attending on the inmates of 

 the aviary in propria persona. It was no un- 

 common circumstance for a bird to perch 

 on our head, our shoulder, our knee ( whilst 

 stooping), or on our hand, whilst engaged in 

 cleansing the perches, &c. On such occa- 

 sions we made it an undeviating rule to 

 notice these marks of affectionate regard, 

 by giving him a fond look, and whistling him 

 a lively tune ; also, by offering him some 

 "tidbit" in the form of a mealworm, an 

 earwig, apiece of ripe soft pear, or the leaf 

 of a juicy lettuce. 



Emboldened by the familiarity of their 

 fellows, and remarking that we never abused 

 the confidence reposed in us, nearly the 

 whole family would, after a while, eat from 

 our hand. We have gone so far with many 

 of them, as i o take them up singly, while 

 trotting about the floor ; kiss them ; play with 

 them ; and let them run away quietly from 

 the half- open hand. They would as quickly 

 return, and repeat the same ceremony ; evi- 

 dently much gratified with their " tiny" per- 

 formances. 



You will have unlimited opportunities for 

 the indulgence of these reciprocal pleasing 

 familiarities, for you must enter the aviary 

 every morning, — regular as clockwork, to 

 perform the requirements of the day. The 

 perches must all be rubbed hard with a soapy 



flannel, and afterwards dried. The windows 

 and looking-glasses must be wiped with a dry 

 cloth. The floor must be cleansed from its 

 impurities. The universal mixture must be 

 fresh made; and the residue (if any) thrown 

 into the poultry yard ; the fountain must be 

 cleansed, and fresh water turned on. In short, 

 a variety of other minor matters must be atten- 

 ded to, which will necessarily suggest them- 

 selves at the time. 



We would here remark, that all persons 

 who will have fine birds, must be scrupu- 

 lously exact in keeping their apartment 

 clean, also in seeing to their toe-nails being 

 kept properly cut, and their feet not clogged 

 up nor fouled by dirt. Look to their " hoppers 

 and food troughs daily, and blow away the 

 refuse of any seed that may remain on the 

 lower ledge. 



Be careful to keep a nice selection of 

 Geraniums, Stocks, Calceolarias, &c, in the 

 miniature balconies round the windows ; and 

 train your Ivy and other climbers over the 

 upper parts of your windows. The birds 

 will rejoice in an arrangement of this nature, 

 and their song will be loud and continuous. 

 You must also have nailed on the outside of 

 all your windows ( at all events the lower 

 panes), a strong galvanised wire-work frame, 

 the bars sufficiently close to prevent the 

 ingress of the cats, which would otherwise 

 dash through the windows, and make sad 

 havoc within. There is but one way of anni- 

 hilating these vermin ; to this we have already 

 directed special attention. 



In selecting your birds generally, it is 

 always advisable to prefer those of a quiet 

 temper. This remark has reference, in the 

 most pointed manner, to woodlarks in par- 

 ticular. These melodious little songsters 

 are, for the most part, very wild and very 

 timid; knocking themselves about sadly, 

 even at the reflection of their own shadow. 

 They also have a bad habit of jumping up 

 violently from the floor, when you go near 

 them ; especially when they are moulting. 

 Their legs, we should observe, are fragile as 

 the finest glass ; consequently, they are liable 

 to be easily broken. Woodlarks, of quiet 

 habits, are a great acquisition in an aviary, 

 where " harmony" is considered desirable. 

 As they race along the floor, in the joyous- 

 ness of their nature, they pour forth the 

 most deliciously-plaintive notes. Many per- 

 sons rank them as equal, some as superior to 

 the nightingale. 



Skylarks will neither thrive nor sing in an 

 aviary. Naturally accustomed to soar aloft, 

 they are sure to dash their heads violently 

 against the ceiling ; nor can they be taught 

 to keep upon the floor. It is, therefore, 

 quite useless to admit any of this tribe. 



Should you, perchance, observe any flight 

 feathers lying about, watch narrowly who 



