I believe one of the least troublesome and most enjoyable of aviaries is that fitted up in a small spare room. It is better without paper on the walls; but if it is on, be careful not to have the least bit loose, as the birds will find it, and tug at it till they get off all they can. The birds will peck a merely plastered wall, but that will do them good.

The glass sashes have to be covered with wire-work, or are, some say, much better taken out altogether during the summer months. I do not quite agree to that view myself, as it seems to me that the means of closing a window is not to be despised in case of heavy storms; and, putting aside the birds, I have visions of housemaids in confusion when "the water has come through." Besides, a permanent open window-frame does not tend to warm, in spring and autumn, the adjoining rooms. Thus I should be much disposed, with all due deference to those who advocate the more open plan, to advise that the window-sashes should be left in place, covered within with a frame in which wire-work has been fitted, the top sash being let down every day in spring and autumn, and in summer both day and night. A Venetian blind outside, or between the window and the wire, is a great gain, for the windows can then always be closed directly if any violent storm comes on.

I have known birds often die in numbers a few days or hours after a severe thunder-storm, to the glare and fear of which the poor frightened things had been exposed. When any such alarming event is going on, I always let in my birds to my own room, and talk to, and pet them, which is an evident consolation, for no one knows how much they get frightened.

Having a room like this affords great opportunities of taming and playing with the birds: while for those who have a weakness for "keeping things in their proper places," a glass door into the next room gives a pretty view of the various antics played while keeping the birds quite separate.

In such a room, however, we must beware of mice; they utterly spoil any food they touch for the birds that have to eat it; indeed, I believe it is even made very injurious by them; and as people cannot actually keep both cats and birds - unless the cat is a genius, like one of ours, who knew that the birds were "friends," and let them perch upon him, and even peck his ears - great care is needed to guard against such inroads.

For the floor of the room it is advisable to have oil-cloth, which can be easily cleaned. Keep the windows constantly open, closing them only in damp or cold weather. The birds will get in the habit of perching on or rather clinging to the ledges of the window frames. To obviate this, which is very objectionable, as it soils the glass, have some narrow (say one and a half inch) slips of wood fastened to the bottom of every pane of glass in a slanting position. By using this precaution the birds will slide off, and they will soon find you are "just one too many for them." It will take birds some little time to get used to each other's ways, but time will terminate their quarrels, disagreements, animosities, and battles. War will gradually cease, and peace be proclaimed. Never turn in many at once; let two or three in mysteriously, early in the morning. This will prevent any unusual fluttering, and the "wonder" at seeing a few new faces will gradually subside.

We must caution against the sudden introduction of a lighted candle into or near an aviary at night. It has so alarming an effect on the inmates, that they will precipitate themselves headlong from their perches and fall about the room in an agony of fear. "We have known many legs and. wings broken in this way, and the sufferers had to be put to a premature death.

Another terrible annoyance to birds of an aviary are the cats, especially on moonlight nights. They will prowl about, and, if possible, jump into the windows; this renders wire-work on the lower panes necessary, if there is any way for the cats to approach the window.

All persons who will have fine birds, must be exact in keeping their room clean; also in seeing to their toe-nails being kept properly cut, and their feet not clogged up, nor fouled with dirt. Carefully provide against the entrance of mice; they poison all they touch.

Mr. Kipp, of Hammersmith, England, had an aviary on a large scale, having at one time three hundred and sixty-six birds. He tried many experiments, and having, moreover, not a high, opinion of the female endowments, he banished all hen birds from his enclosure. He says, "It is deplorably odd that when two or three of the gentler sex are met together, they can never be long in each other's company without there being a ' row.' It was so with our colony. We thoughtlessly left the ladies and gentlemen together, and the results were awful; but we rectified our error. Every lady bird was withdrawn, and the gentlemen vocalists left alone in their glory." Mr. Kidd had a great variety of birds together, and no wonder they quarrelled and fought; besides, there was such a crowd that their nests were robbed and destroyed by those whose only excuse was, that "'twas their nature to." There was a " thrush that was ready at a moment's notice to 'assist' any of the rival malcontents in a crusade against the eggs and young. No sooner were the latter born - we did succeed in getting a few broods hatched - than the conspirators went to work with an energy and unity of purpose worthy of a better cause. Despite the vigorous resistance of the parent birds, their infant offspring were remorselessly dragged from their cradles, suspended in mid-air (like Mahomet's coffin), and then dashed forcibly to the ground ; they were all tried and banished. The sex called gentle it was found needful to banish for ever."

From Mr. Kidd's own account it was not the females that made the disturbance, except as they were the objects of the ferocity of the males, but the latter were the best songsters; - therefore the martyrs were banished. He seems to consider the birds as only kept for song; but no amount of song would compensate us for missing the pretty sight of the little fledglings, or being depriv ed of the amusement of witnessing the court ships.

As interesting a fixed aviary as any I have known, is formed from one end of a moderate sized conservatory. The space, about twelve feet wide, was merely wired off with galvanized zinc wire, the surrounding glass being also lined with wire. The birds here gain the morning sun, but in winter, when it is very cold, the glass walls are screened from without by shutters.

The birds in such a position are very warmly housed, and the sweet scent of the flowers adds greatly to their pleasure. In the enclosed space, which is rather narrow, a row of evergreen shrubs is placed along the back, and grouped closely at each corner, the higher trees nearly reaching the top; and again in the centre, three or four more are grouped. In an aviary like this, it has a charming effect when a pretty bath is suspended from the roof in one of the wire baskets; by the use of some strong cement the outside may be made pretty, ornamented with shells and coral, like the plaything that it is; and there the birds will amuse themselves for hours, pretending to be frightened, and putting in one foot and pulling it out again, behaving for all the world just like naughty children.

The floor being formed of tiles or stone, and the walls also being solid, there is every reason to hope that further precautions against rats and mice will be unnecessary. Their presence certainly should be guarded against with every care imaginable. The floor should be covered with two or three inches of sand, or gravel, or old mortar ground fine. Lime or gravel is about the best thing birds can have to peck at. Evergreens, stood in the corners, are pleasant to the birds, and a fountain in which they can bathe is very pretty. The perches should be made to take out to clean, and thoroughly dried. They should be perfectly round and polished, that the birds may not catch their feet in any kind of cranny. Have one or two perches quite high up.