Seasonahlc Preparations. 
109 
(if not too severe)^ the working for food, etc., all tend towards 
success, while unlimited supplies, without effort, often spell 
failure. 
Now, as to the birds: Under such conditions, separa- 
tion of sexes is unnecessary, but where birds are taken indoors 
during the winter months, the sexes are better kept separ- 
ate. Most of the popular groups may be kept togcthe:i, 
according to the size of the aviary, but not two pairs of the 
same species. The groups referred to are: Grosbeaks, True 
Finches, Buntings, Waxbills, Weavers, Whydahs, Mannikins, 
Cardinals, Warblers, Chats, and Tanagers. 
When making up the pairs for the season, I repeat, it 
is best to have only pairs in the hreeding^ aviary and to 
remove all odd birds to any quarters available. Another im- 
portant point is to see that both sexes of the respective 
pairs are in perfect condition, or success cannot be attained, 
as the weaklings would only be unmerciiuUy bullied by their 
stronger (more fit) brethren. 
.in abundance of nesting recej)tacles is a sine qua non^ 
for many species prefer an artificial site^ to the natural one, 
though, of course, many will choose the latter, and such should 
be encouraged as much as possible, as the data gained from 
such episodes is the more valuable. As to nesting receptacles 
boxes of all shapes (closed and open), straw hats, small barrels, 
husks, chip cages, rush nests, hamper tops for Doves and 
Pigeons, should be placed about in good numbers and variety. 
The next point is general oversight. Observation 
should be very close all the season, pairs need a little assist- 
ance at times, especially those choosing natural sites, or which 
build fragile nests— after a gale of wind, a partially dislodged 
nest may be made secure, or when a brood is all but reared 
and the domicile is too small, the enlarging of it, when parents 
were foraging, by such steps as picking it up, placing and 
securing a larger nest (it will be a good thing to have a few 
disused Thrush or Blackbirds' nests for such purpose-;) under- 
neath it, or the wrapping round of a band of hay and securing 
same both to nest and branches has saved many a chick. More- 
over, observation tends to the securing many interesting details 
concerning the life histories of the various species, and in- 
tensifies the diversified interest and pleasure of bird-keeping. 
