The Aviaries and Birds at Benham Valence. 95 
year, iiml that this tmitiiuuit suits tlieni admirably was aini)ly 
demonstrated by the condition of a flock of sixteen Bourke's 
Parrakeets, a fine pair of Fairy Blue Birds and Metallic Starlings 
— the glistening and lovely plumage of the two latter, furnishing 
a spectacle which simply defies description. 
The aviaries are situated on high ground at the back of the 
house,and are consequently free from damp, moisture di-aining off 
quickly to the lower ground. Each flight had a gravel path along 
the front and each side, the centre being turfed and planted with 
Bamboos and furnished with a continually running fountain and 
twiggy branches. The houses or shelters have concrete floors, and 
the various enclosures were well furnished with twiggy branches, 
logs and various other nesting receptacles, and were, in fact, in 
every way complete. I made no detailed list of the birds in their 
respective aviaries (Mr. Astley supplying me with a general list of 
the more notable birds), nearly all my notes being mental ; the 
impression I gathered was that no single aviary was devoted to 
small birds or solely to Parrakeets (save one (C) which had been 
originally erected for a pair of Lear's Macaws, but is at present 
occupied by a pair of Port Lincolns and a Pennant (3') Parrakeet), 
but were mixed somewhat promiscously, though a process of sort- 
ation in the several enclosures had evidently been reached by the 
changing about of pugnacious individuals. Most of the indoor 
enclosures were occupied by single pairs. 
At the back of the Aviaries A, B and C was another range 
on still higher ground, divided up into several divisions ; the only 
shelter afforded in these enclosures being the angle of the roof, 
both long sides being open netting, only the ends being solid. 
In one division there was a lovely Blue Whistling Thrush (Myio- 
phoneus temtnincki), absolutely fearless, and in every respect the 
most perfect specimen of this species I have ever seen. 
In the next division were a pair of Mexican Jays of the 
genus JCanthoura, but I shall not attempt to define the species, 
till I have had an opportunity of thoroughly comparing skins of 
the whole genua. Though the situation was somewhat exposed — 
the wind having free play through the aviary from front to back — 
the birds were in excellent feather and a perfect blaze of colour, 
therefore I deduce that they are a robust species and should 
at no distant date be bred by those able to give them suitable 
accommodation. 
