46 
NATURE NOTES 
For the aviar}' any structure will do that is sheltered on the 
north and east. It must consist of shed and flif?ht, the flight to 
have one-third of its roof-length boarded and felted, the other 
Small Barrel Hung Sideways. 
two-thirds, whole of the front and end to be covered with |in. 
wire netting ; it must be suitably furnished with branches 
and log nests or small barrels (hung sideways) both in the 
shelter and under the boarded roof of flight. There must be a 
vessel (earthenware) large enough for bathing in the open part 
of flight, and a fountain for water. I consider an aviary for a 
single pair should be at least 6 ft. long, though two or three 
pairs would do in that space, whilst for, say, seven or eight pairs 
it should be at least 20 ft. long by 7 or more ft. wide. They 
usuall)^ take a year to settle down before breeding. 
Foods to cover all kinds named if kept in a mi.\ed aviary ; 
canary, millet, hemp, sunflower and grass seeds, with oats and 
maize, which must be in separate seed pans, placed on the 
ground under, or preferably suspend from the roof of covered 
part of flight. Cuttle fish bone, grit, mortar rubbish, green food 
and fresh water must be regularly supplied. For green food 
give groundsel, grass in flower, chickweed, lettuce, mustard, 
cress {not watercress). See. Some will require a little fruit, this I 
will indicate in list ; hemp should be offered principally in winter 
and cold wet weather, grass seed should be given at intervals as 
a delicacy, also a few insects to those that will take them. 
* The Budgerigar [Melopsittacus nndulatiis). A native of 
Australia, its principal colours are bright greens and yellows 
with undulated blackish markings on its upper parts, and 
several small patches of ultramarine blue on the sides of the face. 
Sexual distinctions : the cere of the male in the breeding season 
is blue, that of the female light reddish-brown. 
It is gregarious ; any, number (provided sexes are equal) will 
agree together and breed as regular as canaries. Size 7 to 8 in. 
long ; slenderly built. 
* Madagascar Love-bird {Agapornis cana). Commonly called 
by dealers grey-headed love-bird. It is a native of (Madagascar. 
It has been introduced into, and become common in, neighbour- 
ing islands ; breeds readily in captivity, hardy and long-lived. 
