340 



KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



BIRDS OF SONG,— No. XXXV. 



THE AVIARY AND ITS OCCUPANTS. 

 No. III. 



Having given good and sufficient 

 reasons why we do not advocate 

 " Mechanical Aviaries," which at best, are 

 but toys ; we will now turn our attention to 

 the erection of a substantial and proper 

 Palatial residence — fit, in every respect, for 

 the reception of Birds of Song. 



As many amateurs may be situated pre- 

 cisely as we were, as regards the position of 

 their house, we will describe, as accurately 

 as may be, the manner in which we pro- 

 ceeded, Our aviary, first erected at Ken- 

 nington, was a substantial building of wood, 

 and at the rear of the house. From the 

 limited size of the garden, as to width, we so 

 contrived that the back-door on the ground 

 floor opened immediately from the house 

 into the aviary. Thus, in wet weather, 

 constant access might be had, to and fro, 

 without incurring the risk of taking cold. 



Immediately between the back door and 

 the aviary, was a small room, or recess,* 

 with a covered roof. Herein was fixed the 

 stov&,4ntended to warm the bird-rooms in 

 winter. We could thus have entrance to the 

 back garden, either through the side door of 

 the small room (opening on the left into the 

 garden), or we could walk through the 

 entire length of the aviary, if necessary ; 

 making an exit through the door at the 

 extreme end. 



When we removed from Kennington to 

 Hammersmith, the original aviary was 

 partly re-constructed, and placed in quite a 

 different position —viz : at the bottom of the 

 garden (which is 120 feet long and 34 feet 

 wide) ; and the front windows faced the 

 dwelling-house. This was a remarkable im- 

 provement every way. It was also divided 

 into two distinct portions, each complete in 

 itself. 



The second portion, for warmth in winter 

 (there being no convenience for a chimney 

 at the bottom of the garden), was erected 

 immediately contiguous to the house ; whilst 

 the other, assigned to the hardy birds only, 

 who require no fire during the winter, re- 

 mained exposed, like any other building. 



The proper length of a detached aviary is 

 15 feet; width, 9 feet ; height, 11 or 12 feet. 

 Of course, if two aviaries united in one be 

 required, the proportions will be just, or 

 nearly, double, as regards the length ; with a 



* We erected this little ante-room, for the ex- 

 press purpose of placing a stove in it; inasmuch 

 as there was no other place where we could have 

 broken into a chimney elsewhere, without occa- 

 sioning a nuisance to the neighbors, in the 

 matter of smoke. 



glass door, and a latticed-wire partition 

 across the centre. 



In the winter, the lattice-wire should be 

 covered over with green baize, and all 

 draught excluded, as far as is practicable. 

 The ceiling should, of course, be flat ; and 

 the external roof shelving from the front 

 backwards. The latter should be covered 

 with zinc, and a gutter of the same material 

 should be made to convey the water from 

 one corner of the roof, at the back, down- 

 wards into the ground. 



The building should be entirely of wood. 

 There should be three windows in the centre 

 of the front ; equally divided, and boarded 

 above and below. Also, two windows at 

 one end of the aviary, equally divided, and 

 boarded above and below. At the oppo- 

 site end, a glass door of entrance ; imme- 

 diately over which, there should be a 

 double window, opening outwards on hinges. 

 To protect it, and to prevent the escape of 

 the birds, a moderately-close net-work of 

 galvanised wire should be nailed on, from 

 the inside. The birds will then get plenty 

 of fresh air, and be able to introduce them- 

 selves '.to their brethren in a state of free- 

 dom, who will assemble in numbers on the 

 adjoining trees and branches to join them 

 in their song. Our garden has always been 

 the resort of multitudes of these song birds ; 

 and the harmony during the seasons of 

 spring and summer — not excepting the 

 piping of the thrushes and blackbirds in 

 the winter months, has been delightful. 



One of the panes at the opposite end of 

 the aviary should also be made to open 

 outwards, with hinges ; and the interior 

 lined with wire-work ; whereby, free venti- 

 lation will be secured. This is important. 

 The back of the aviary should be entirely 

 of wood, by which means it will be more 

 readily kept warm and snug. The front 

 should be painted white, with at least three 

 coats. It should afterwards be ornamented 

 with double cross-barred lattice -work, 

 painted green ; not too close, but arranged 

 with a due regard to relief or effect. 



Between each window, and at the ex- 

 treme ends of the windows, should be up- 

 right fluted pillars of wood ; which, though 

 really hollow, appear when viewed from a 

 distance, perfectly solid, and important 

 withal. These pillars should be strongly 

 painted in green ; excepting the plinths, 

 which should be white ; the facia, of stone 

 color ; and the ornaments running round 

 the top of the building, of a Vandyke 

 pattern — painted green. Thus much as re- 

 gards the general directions for the erection 

 of the building. The internal arrangements 

 we shall discuss anon. 



With respect to the "look-out" of the 

 little musicians; this requires some judg- 



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