100 The Avinrieii and Birds at Bcnhnm Valence. 
Called by Gould in his liaiulhook of " Birds of Australia," The 
Varied Parrakeet. 
RoCK-Pebbler Parrakeet {Polytelis melanura) A beau- 
tiful specimen of a fji-and species, but which space will not ])ermit 
me to linger to describe. Also known as the Black- tailed Parra- 
keet (Gould). 
PiLEATBD or Red-capped Parrakeet (Porphip'oeephalus 
cpuriiis). A l)eautiful species, which is still very uncommon, 
though a few jiairs were inij^oi'ted by Messrs. Payne and Wallace 
about two years ago. Four young were i-eared of this species last 
season in these aviaries, and also, almost concurrently, by our 
esteemed member Mr. W. Fasey. It will he of great interest if 
either of these gentlemen can keep track of the young, so as to 
ascertain, not only at what age they assume full adult i)lumage, 
but also the age at which they commence to breed. 
I must pause here, as I expect my review of this interesting collection 
of birds will run into two further instalments at least there are also a num- 
ber of interostinff photos yet to be figured. 
(To he continued.) 
My Aviary and Its Inmates. 
By William H. Browning (New York), 
Member of the New York Zoological Society. 
In England the keeping of foreign birds in aviaries has long 
been practised, as one can judge from the membershii) of the 
Avicultural Societies of that country. 
In America the private aviary is rapidly becoming popular, 
and with reason, for it is a hobby out of which those who are 
naturally fond of birds can get a lot of genuine i)leasure. 
Most people are fond of the singing of birds, and a well- 
selected aviary is a musical song box. Some atlmire birds for 
their plumage, while others make the experiment from a scientific 
interest in the biveding and rearing of rare foreign species. In a 
well-constructed aviary the birds are |)erfectly happy. 
My aviary, on my estate at Rye, New York, close to the 
waters of the Sound, is about fifty feet long l)y twelve in width. 
It is built of wood somewhat in old Dutch style. It faces south 
and the north side is placed as close as we could get it to some 
large Elm trees which overshadow the roof, so that when the sun 
