7° A7i Easier Visit to Members' Aviaries. 
stock. I^ast year was Mr. Malhias's first year in Foreign Bird keeping, and 
he was very successful in breeding Grassfinches and four Crimson Finches, 
and witli liis increased acconiniodation should have equal if not greater 
success this coming season. He has the neuclns of an inleresling series. 
l\Iy stay with him was particuhnrly enjoxable and varied, for I liad not 
merely avicullural and ornilliological, but floral fare as well. Mr. Matthias 
being an enthusiastic cultivator of the winter-flowering or perpetual carna- 
tions, and also a noted exliibiter as well, having recently taken Gold Medals 
at the Horticultural Hall on March 24th last, also at other similar exhibi- 
tions. I trust I may be par<loned this digression, but tlie flower is an old 
favourite of mine, and in the past I have been a small grower of the same, 
possessing sufficient knowledge to appreciate the lovely blooms displayed, 
though my visit was in what may be termed the off' season. Tiie Gardener's 
7J/(7^wir/«^ have honoured Mr. iNIathias by pul)lishing his portrait and short 
biography, speaking of him as an example of an amatetir rising to the front 
rank of professionalism, and admirers of these grand flowers mi>;ht do 
worse than send for his catalogue. 
I have already alluded to the ornitholf)gical treat I had among our 
native bit (Is, such a treat as I liave not enjoyt-d for several years, and must 
now, without further digression, pass on to a few notes of my second visit. 
* * * 
Mr. Lewis'.s Aviaries: The aviaries here are not iiidi- 
vidtially of large .size, htu mimeroiis, well ]:)laiiiie(l and very 
ptaclical ; consi.stiiig, as will be seen from the ai conipan yiiig 
plates, of slielter, coveted and open flights, the laiter poition 
being ttirfed and containing one or mote growing >lirtil)s. Mr. 
Lewis lias found tlie handsome evergreen conifer Cuprcssjis 
flo7-ibu?ida, uot only a quick grower, btil also to supiily admirable 
cover for the birds, while adding mateiially to the general effect. 
Tile fittings and general arrangeinenis are also good and well 
arranged, both so as to be readily accessible for tlie renewal of 
siijjplies and their contents not easily fouled by the biids. With 
tlie environiiieiit of a laige country gaiden, the aviaiies are not 
merely interesting but also very effective in appearance, especially 
the smaller aviaries, Nos. i, 2 and 3. The kindly courtesy and 
hosj)ita]ity of Mr. and Miss Lewis made niy visit a most enjoyable 
one, which, with avicullural go.ssip, viewing the aviaries and 
birtis, made the time pass all too rapidlj', and my visit very en- 
joyable and interesting. 
Aviary No. i. The iiumberin<i of the aviaries coincides 
with the numbers placed on photogiaphic reprodtictioiis, there- 
