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G. H. Gurney—My Tropical Aviary



Light branches are placed here and there as perches for the birds, so

disposed that their droppings will not soil the plants beneath. All the

plants are growing ; none are in pots. Two pools overhung by ferns

etc. contain respectively some tropical fish, and two small aligators and

six little water terrapins. The fourth side of the house is planted with

a collection of smaller stove plants, backed by crotons, anthuriums

with their huge leaves, and caladiums. One side of the L-shaped

extension is occupied by a long tank which contains a number of large

tropical aquatic plants ; the opposite side being given up to aquaria

for tropical fish. At the extreme end of the extension is a small aviary,

divided into three compartments, containing Sunbirds ; all the other

birds are flying loose. The temperature is never allowed to drop below

70°, and is often nearly up to 90°. The whole house is thoroughly

sprayed three times a day, consequently the atmosphere is always

moist and damp. Under these conditions both birds and plants flourish

amazingly, and all look perfect.


The birds at present flying loose include five or six Minivets (which

are almost over- tame, and refuse to stop perching on one’s head or

arms, if they think there is any chance of a mealworm), a King Bird

of Paradise, several Yellow-winged Sugar Birds, a Blacked-headed

Sugar Bird, a Purple Sugar Bird, a Green Fruitsucker, a Redstart,

a lovely White-starred Bush-robin (Gogonocilla stellata), a Kuhls

Ground Thrush (perfectly tame, and always singing beautifully;

very smart too in his black-and-white plumage and rich chestnut-

coloured head), and a Dusky Sunbird ( Crisnyris mediocris), which

stands no nonsense from any of the other birds ; he is a beautiful

and constant songster, too. Pittas did extremely well in the house

but, as they kept entirely hidden among the thick foliage and were

never seen, though often heard, I removed them. I could put other

birds in, but I prefer rather to understock it, than overcrowd it.

A seat at one end of the house adds considerably to one’s pleasure

when watching the birds.


Not far from the tropical house I have recently constructed another

rather unusual kind of aviary, in the shape of an old disused squash-

racquet court. A glass roof has been added and, as it measures roughly

23 feet square and is over 25 feet high, it is thoroughly spacious.



