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C. H. Macklin—My Aviaries



aviary would allow me. On Sunday, the 27th June, I went up early

to feed the birds as usual and then it was I noticed a fine little

bird hopping about the honeysuckle, and not in the least bit

afraid of me, and the parents also made no fuss then. All was

peace once more. After the young bird was out a few days there were

hardly any meal-worms eaten, and they seem to be clean off them now.

Prom the 8th July the little bird has fed itself entirely, also catching

all its own flies. Its colouring is greyish green above and yellowish

whitish green underneath, dark eyes and beak with white marks at

the sides of beak near the base.


The parent cock is a delightful singer, possessing a pretty little

voice, not at all harsh, but when in a tantrum no one could say the

voice was sweet ! No, not even I could say that.


I do hope the parents will go to nest again so that I can then tell

you the colour of their eggs. I could find no egg-shell anywhere this

time, and the only thing left in the nest when the fine little youngster

had flown was one dried-up tiny mite about four or five days old.

To-day, 12th July, I trod on my Samoyed “ Marco’s ” tail and a

little came off, so I took the little bunch up to the Tanagers’ aviary

and pushed it through the wire, and to-night it is already reposing

as a floor covering in the “ Abode of love ”—my hope for a second

nest has risen. In any case I consider I have been well repaid for the

tiny building I made for the home of my dear little Violet Tanagers.


16th July, received with thanks, first quarter’s rent—one little

“ mite ”.



MY AVIARIES


By C. H. Macklin, M.B.C.S., L.B.C.P., F.Z.S.


Judging from my own interest in similar articles I think an account

of the birds occupying the aviaries in my garden at present may interest

other members. During the last two years I have built several new

aviaries and divided some of the old ones into smaller compartments,

I have also somewhat reduced the number of birds ; the idea being to

give the more interesting pairs an aviary to themselves as far as possible



