50 



British Cage Birds. 



mastery for the food. If it is desired that two or three pairs 

 of the same variety are to be tried to breed together in 

 one aviary, pick out the chief or master of the males, and 

 turn him among the hens ; as soon as he makes choice of 

 one, remove these to a cage by themselves ; then select the 

 cock that usurps and holds the place of the one removed, 

 and act similarly, for in this way only are they likely to agree. 

 If turned all together, severe fighting, mutilation, and death 

 in some cases will ensue, and reconciliation afterwards would 

 be next to impossible ; always obtain more females than males, 

 and keep one of each by themselves away from the other 

 birds, in the event of an accident or loss from unforeseen 

 causes. 



A few pairs of Tits, Wrens, or Wagtails might agree 

 together, providing they are not mixed ; that is. Tits together 

 by themselves. Wrens by themselves, and Wagtails by them- 

 selves. In a mixed aviary, many birds, such as Green- 

 finches, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, &c., will select partners and 

 endeavour to breed together ; but no end of casualties occur 

 through jealousies. They quarrel about breeding places, two 

 or three wanting to occupy the same place or nest ; others 

 will break eggs that are laid, through mischief or ill-will. 

 Sometimes they quarrel about building material and tear 

 •each others' nests to pieces. Some birds are so vicious as 

 to kill the offspring of their neighbours. In fact, it is a 

 •system fraught with evils, and small success attends anyone 

 who adopts it ; hence, it is unwise to resort to such a method. 



To arrange an outdoor aviary for Starlings and soft- 

 billed birds, it should be placed in a garden, sheltered as 

 much as possible from the east and north winds, and should 

 be an open aviary. At the back of it have the shelter 

 recommended in the chapter on aviaries. Under the eaves 

 inside, small boxes with large apertures should be placed for 

 Starlings ; these should be deep and tolerably spacious, so 

 that the birds can be entirely hidden from vieW. A few 

 half-inch holes should be made with a brace and bit at the 

 sides or ends of them, near the top, to let in air and 

 light. In the open space in front of the aviary, where the 

 birds take exercise, should be placed, in some secluded 

 corner, one or two stumps of old trees, with holes in them. 

 Should there be no holes in them, scoop one or two out near 



