254 Visits io Members' Aviaries : 
butterflies and moths, iiiminierable flies, and by the captures 
made by various inmates beetles, earthworms and the like were 
evidently unlimited. It was in this aviary that I sat almost 
immovable for fairly long periods on several days, during the 
course of my visit, and it is scarcely necessary to say that I was 
intensely interested in watching the demeanour of the various 
species under what were practically natural conditions ; many of 
them came almost up to my feet and remained searching about 
for insects, etc. — words fail me to paint how charming was 
the picture of many species tlius hopping about the grass, slipping 
up and down and in and out of the hop tendrils and other 
creepers, all busy, happy, active and apparently without a care ; 
there was business about the method of many of them too, for 
they were foraging to meet the needs of a family. Under these 
conditions, I think I have realised for the first time the full 
beauty of a I<avender Finch, with other birds such as Bichenos, 
Ringed, Zebra, Cherry, Aurora and Cuban Finches, feeding from 
a bunch of millet scattered over the grass a few feet away, quite 
near hand too were fruit and comb containing wasp grubs ; how 
busy round this (and with what fearlessness they went to work), 
were the lovely Silver-eared Mesias, Blue Grosbeaks, Jerdon's 
Accentors, an English Robin and the charming Yellow-bellied 
Liothrix; how interesting, too, to watch the demeanour of such 
species under such conditions. From these my eye was distracted 
to a group of Waxbills, just a little disputing, but all evidently 
very happy, for there was food and room enough for all ; how 
exquisite they were — Common and Green Avadavals (the latter 
with young). Orange-cheek, Zebra and Grey Waxbills, Cordon 
Bleus, etc., now in the grass, now demolishing the millet spray. 
I had a comfortable chair and soft cushions, but it was not rest, 
every sense was exercised, now on the ground, now in the air, 
some evolution of the bird population was going on. 
Thus passed before me, besides those already mentioned : 
Olive and Cuba Finches, Indigo and Black-headed Buntings, 
Red-headed and Dusky and Safi"ron Finches; White Java Spar- 
rows, Diamond Sparrows, Crested Pigeons ; Diamond, Passerine 
and Aurita Doves, and very many others. 
To vary the experience and stretch the limbs a stroll was 
