Frank W. Hansell—An Easily Constructed Outdoor Aviary 109


their dislike for the summer sunshine, and it is most noticeable the

quietness of the birds during the day, as compared with early morning

and late evening. Even with plenty of shade provided they seem to

prefer a secluded corner of the house, rather than show a wing in the

flight. Probably this is due to the fact that the birds have got

thoroughly acclimatized to the cold, and take badly to the hot weather.


Commencing with the construction of the aviary, it is of great

importance to select a good situation for the house, and to have it



Fig. 1.—Plan.



facing south or west, if possible in a corner where two walls meet,

i.e. a wall at right angles to a wall running east and west, as shown

on plan (Fig. 1). The protection given by the walls helps to break the

cold wind.


The ground should be levelled, at least the area occupied by the

house. It is also necessary to have the house well founded: this is

done by sinking four old railway sleepers, the ends of which are half

checked, as shown on plan. As it is sometimes necessary to remove

the aviary, it is advantageous to have it built in sections, the sections

made to bolt together with f by 5J in. bolts at points marked “ B ”

on sketches, and the whole house being held down to the sleeper founda¬

tions with six 4 in. wood screws at points W.S. (see plan). The sections

are made up of 2 by 2 in. deal batten framing, and 6 by f in.



