10 
A Nurtlwrii Aiu'ary. 
Outside Flight. — Coustructel with 2in. by Ihin. red 
deal framiuK, put together by brackets so that any alterations or 
additions are easily made. This framing is amply sufficient, some 
aviaries I have seen are far too wooden. 
All exterior woodwork painted with two coats of " Carbo- 
linium Avenarious." The wire netting, which is of the best 
quality, and is of half-inch mesh, received one coat of Brunswick 
black. It is a mistake to use the cheapest quality of wire netting 
as it soon rusts away even if kept painted. The gi-ound is sown 
with grass seed which has to l)e re-sown each spring on account 
of the birds pulling up the same, and the drip from the wire 
netting. One of the boundary walls is covered with ivy, there are 
also privet and laurel bushes. For perches I use natural twigs. 
There are two trees and part of a third, which, when in leaf, form 
a good shelter from the sun. I have omitted on the plan the 
bath which is 3ft. Gin. by 1ft din. 
The Occupants. — I have pairs of the following species : 
White Java Sparrows, Red-crested Cardinals, Skylarks, Indian 
Silverbills, Pekin Robins, Ruddy Buntings, Canaries and Red- 
eared Bulbuls, two cock Grey Javas (bought as a pair), two cock 
Madagascar Weavers, and the following odd birds, most of which 
have had mates : Grey Waxbill ? , Green Singing Finch , African 
Silverbill, Tricolour Nun, Zebra Finch African Silverbill, 
Tri-colour Nun, Zebra Finch <? , Linnet <? , Paradise Whydah ? , 
Combassoo <? , Saffron Finch , Hedge Sparrow 2 . and four 
young Indian Silverbills. 
Nesting Notes. Indian Silverbills f Aidcmosyne 
malabarica) . — Breeding results have been practically nil, with 
the exception of the afore-mentioned young Silverbills which are 
coming on well. First nest produced only one young bird, which 
being very precocious left the nest too soon, and the result is it is 
bow-legged, i otherwise it is all right. The other three youngsters 
are normal. Both the above nests were made in a wooden box. 
White Java Sparrows {Amadina orysivora var alba). 
— Have had nothing but bad luck with these, for out of about six 
nests of eggs none have hatched out, all proving unfertile. They 
are very nervous sitters compared with Silverbills, and leave the 
nest if I go anywhere near them. I am afraid I shall not have 
any luck until I get another hen, as she appears to be rather a 
weak bird. 
