32() Aiu'ctdlure in tlir Days of Ancirut Rome. 
In July I made up my mind (hat it would be safe; to 
allow Timmie her liberty and had no cause to regret my de- 
cision for she remained in the best of health until I caged her 
again in the autumn. Nearly a year has i^assed and she is 
once more enjoying her freedom. Her plumage is Itright and 
glossy, her breast round and plump; sometimes she flies on to 
a chimney and looks inquisitively down the mouth as if she 
had thoughts of nesting. The young hen is equally well, 
though. I have not ventured to let her out. O " fragilera 
foi'tunam " I 
Aviculture in the Days of Ancient Rome. 
By Dr. L. Lovell-Keays, F.Z.S. 
[Our member. Dr. P. Gosse, sent us nearly twelve months ago 
a book (" Varro on Farming,' ) containing some interesting details of 
ancient aviculture, which, he thought, would probably be interesting to 
readers of "Bird Notes." We agreed, but hitherto it has been held up 
owing to lack of time for its compilation — this continuing, Dr. I.ovell- 
Kcays, on request, kindly consented to undertake the task, and the 
following most interesting paper is the result. We are greatly indebted 
to Dr. Lovell-Keays, and also to Dr. Gosse, and tender our appreciative 
thanks. — Ed.] . 
To say there is nothing new under the sun is, of i-ourse, 
trite and commonplace but nevertheless undeniably true. At 
any rate, aviculture, both as a hobby and a commercial under- 
taking, is pretty accurately described by one Varro, who was 
born in B.C. 116 and was noted for the number of books on 
various subjects that he wrote, the number being no less 
than foul' hundred and ninety (what a valuable member of the 
F.B.C. Mr. Varro would have proved to our pi-esent Editor!). 
And his proli.xity in no way impaired his accuracy or thorough- 
ness. His remarks are made princii)a]ly 1o Axius, wlio must 
have been the prototype of the aviculturist, who, although 
well blessed with this world's goods, yet one to whom the 
prospect of " making a bit " out of his hobby appealed ir- 
resistibly. At any rate Varro takes the kind of aviary run 
entirely for profit first, and describes it as a domed building, 
a peristyle as it were, covered with tiles or a net. In this 
were kept several thousands of Fieldfares, and Blackbirds, 
but Quails and Ortolans were a welcome addition, as when 
fattened they fetched a good price, Varro lays great stress 
