Introdu.ctio7i.
yet require thoroughly scouring out every day, exactly the same as any other
drmkiug vessel; otherwise the water becomes stagnant and fetid, producing that
most fatal of all bird diseases—inflammation of the bowels.
Undoubtedly the best plan for supplying water in an aviary, is to have a
fountain with a small jet, playing incessantly into a shallow glass basin and
running over into a larger bowl, which carries it down to a drain pipe- in my
two bird-room aviaries I have adopted this plan: for my other aviaries, however I
find a large zinc tra.y, two inches "deep and daily cleaned out, a very satisfactoi-y
drinking and bathing trough.
As regards vessels for cages, most practical men who have a large family of
feathered pets to look after, have tried, one after another, all kinds of patents for
the reception of food and water and have finally returned to open pans To my
mind nothing is better for both purposes than the little circular glazed earthenware
pans sold for Pigeons' food by many com-chandlers. These have an inner lip
below the nm, which prevents seed from being easily thrown out, or if large
enough for bathing purposes, saves much of the splashing over caused by a bird
when washing: moreover, if dipped into a pail of hot water, they can be cleaned
without the least trouble, and wiped dry with a flannel. I need hardly remind my
readers that no open pan should be placed below a perch, and wherever placed it
should be examined at least once a day to see that it does not o-et foul
One very important point, to secure healthy birds, is not to" be economical in
the matter of sand: nobodj, unless he had tested the marked increase in mortality
resulting from the use of an inferior article, would for a moment credit that ii
was possible. The best sea-sand; not washed, but just as brought from the shore
IS the most healthful; and no other should ever be used. An attempt to substitute
ordinary red sand, one year, in my aviaries; resulted in the loss of no less than
ninety birds between August and the following May.
To the English breeder of Foreign Pinches, the works of Dr. Russ, the o-reat
German Avicultunst, are unfortunately but little kno^yn. This marvellously
industrious breeder, has succeeded in rearing the majority of the regularly imported
and many of the rarely imported species. His descriptions of the habits nidification,
young plumage, songs; and last (but by no means least) the' proper
management of the numerous species which have, for many years, been under his
care are so complete in every detail; that any book treating of birds in captivity
would be in the highest degree imperfect which did not fully recognise their
importance.
I have, therefore, not hesitated to translate largely from Dr. Russ' writings, for
[T:
Introduiiion. vii
the benefit of those who may desire to follow the example of this most indefatigable
Bird-lover. I fully believe that, in so doing, I shall bring to the notice both
of amateur and scientific Ornithologists, many important facts, which he has
elucidated; and of which, up to the present time, they have not been aware.
The breeding of Foreign Birds has, for many years past, been a hobby with
German Naturalists; whereas in England this branch of aviculture is still in its
infancy. Without a knowledge of the proper mode of procedure, which a study
of the works of our German friend aflfords, there must needs be many futile
experiments made by English breeders, before they can hope to attain the success
which has rewarded the aviarists of the Fatherland: but, by carefully studying and
following out Dr. Russ' very explicit instructions, I believe that much loss and
disappointment to themselves, and considerable injury to their feathered fosterchildren
may be avoided.
In the following pages, mention has been made of birds imported by myself
from abroad. It must be candidly admitted that this is a very expensive method
of adding to one's stock; for although, by good luck, I thereby acquired several
rare species, and so received a fair exchange for my outlay, the majority of the
birds sent home were not what had been ordered, some were in ill health when
received, and several were undesirable additions.
Therefore, unless they have personal friends, who will not only purchase the
birds abroad from the natives, at a reasonable rate, and attend to them properly
on the journey to this country; amateurs will do far better by purchasing such
birds as they require from those whose business it is to import; even though they
may fancy that by so doing they are paj'ing double or treble the price for them.
When birds are purchased abroad, they must be paid for at the time; and as a
rule, at least half of them never reach Europe alive, whilst many others die soon
after their arrival.
Before- concluding these introductory observations, it is only right that I
should thank such friends as have from time to time encouraged me in the studj'
of Cage-Finches:—I am indebted to the Hon. \\'alter de Rothschild for the first
living examples which I possessed of Green Amaduvades, Pin-tailed Nonpareils and
Red- and Black-headed Gouldian Finches. To Messrs. J. Abrahams, J. Johnston,
my artist Mr. F. W. Frohawk, and Miss E. M. Sharpe for similar kind gifts.
To my friend Mr. J. Hoiisden of Sydenham, for much assistance in many
ways since I first became acquainted with him and his vast collection of feathered pets.
To the Rev. W. J. Holland, D.D., Ph.D., &c. of Pittsburg, U.S.A.; to Col.