My Nciv Aviary and Its Inmates. 
13 
The fountain, placed in the centre of the flight, is five 
feet liit^h, and a great source of dehght to the birds. The base 
of the fountain is six feet in diameter, tlie second Ixisin thirty 
inches, and tlie top one eighteen inches in diameter. I liad a 
stop-cock fitted so tliat the water can l;e turned off during frosty 
weather, if desired. 
Round aioout the aviary on tlie outside 1 formed a foot- 
walk, from which you can see nests in the shrubs and take 
observations generally, as this saves disturbing sitting birds 
during the nesting" season. To the outside of the foot-walk, 
round the aviary on two sides, I planted fruit trees, rambler 
roses, and shrubs of various kinds, which provides a good back- 
ground, and altogether gives a very pleasing aspect to the whole. 
Sleeping qu.arters (shelter): The sleeping quarters are 
built of brick and rough cast, and are very cosy places. A good- 
sized wi'idow in the front of the building provides plenty of 
light. 
At present I house about eighty birds, which include : 
Saffron Finches Cardinals 
Whydahs Goldfinches 
Weavers (various varieties) Grev Linnets 
Java Sparrows (grey and white) Roller Canaries 
Indig-o Buntings Zebra Finches 
L;ivender Finches Chaffinches 
( irey Singing-Finches Redpolls, etc. 
Rihbon Fnches 
There birds have all lived in harmony together, and the 
following have nested and reared young : 
Zebra iMuches (Tacniopygia castanotis). Only one nest 
and reared three young. 
Java Sparrows (Miiiiia oryzivora). Bred freely and 
reared quite a lot of young birds. 
Ribbon Finches (Amadina fasclata). Were a new addition 
this year; nested twice and brought out seven young. 
Indigo Buntings (Cyanospka cyanca). Had two nests of 
eggs which were infertile. 
Weavers, They had quite a busy season and built no end 
