72 Porfahle and other Outdoor Bird Cages. 
last month, two foroijf^n birds — a pair of Grey Waxbills, which 
are in the best of health after three years' confinement. This 
year (1911,) the hen made a nest and laid throe eggs, but, 
owing to the interference of Siskins, did not incubate properly. 
Since the Zoo meeting I have jmrchased a pair of Avadavats, 
whicii unfortunately (November!) are now showing signs of 
nesting, and a Grey Singingfincli which has since died. As 
I keep my l>irds strictly as a ho])by, neither for profit, nor 
to exhibit, I have a very mixed selection of Canaries. British 
Birds and Mules. Though having started in a very mild form 
in breeding mules and hybrids, I hope some day to produce 
a rara avis. 
The accompanying photographs give an idea of my 
cages, and are self cixplanatory ; the cages are nine in number 
and varying in size from one, 18 feet by 8 feet by 8 feet 
higii, with a drop to G feet — this is built round a pear tree 
against a wall — to one 3 feet by 3 feet. The small ones make 
very good Ijreeding cages; also a long one, with three divi- 
sions, each 3x1^ feet, with sliding partitions, by the with- 
drawal of which it becomes a good flight cage for winter 
use. 
As already stated I have mostly kept Canaries and 
indigenous species, and my greatest wish is to breed Gold- 
finches and Siskins; but so far have not succeeded, though 
in 1 908 four Siskins were hatched out, but unfortunately died 
at a fortnight old, and in 1909 eight Goldfinches, but alas, 
they only lived a week — probably a record of the several 
year's doings in my out-door cages may be of passing interest. 
1906 — 17 Canaries reared. 
1907 — 22 Canaries reared. 
1908 — 13 Canaries, 1 Greenfinch mule, 9 Linnet mules, 
and 2 Siskin mules all fully reared. 4 Siskins hatched out 
but not reared. 
1909 — 17 Canaries, 9 Siskin niufes all reared; 8 Gold- 
fmchco hatched out but not reared. 
1910 — 18 Canaries and 1 Siskin mule reared. 
1911 — 14 Canaries, 1 Greenfinch mule, and 9 Siskin 
mules all fully reared. 
I shall hope to be able to give a better record at the 
end of 1912, 
