121 



described by Haagner as white, but all those laid by this hen 

 have been saffron-coloured. 



I have a pair of Scarlet and a pair of Superb Tanagers, 

 neither of which have nested, and altogether the season has been 

 a disappointing one. 



" Hope for the best and expect the worst" is the motto of 

 the aviculturist. 



Sonic IRecent Hcquisitions. 



By Wesley T. Page. F.Z.S., M.B.N.H.S. 



{Continued from page 103). 



The Painted Finch (Emblema picta). This exquisite 

 species has been almost unknown to aviculture till recently, 

 when the enterprise of Messrs. Payne and Wallace resulted in 

 some fifteen pairs being placed on the English market this 

 spring; they imported one pair last year, which found a home 

 in the aviaries of the Rev. H. D. Astley. One pair of this year's 

 consignment has come into my possession, and a most delightful 

 acquisition they are, and bid fair to do well and make a lengthy 

 stay with me. This notice cannot be a fully detailed or des- 

 criptive one, but as Mr. Goodchild has made a fine drawing of 

 my pair, and the plate will figure in a near issue of Bird Notes, a 

 fuller account will then be given. So far my pair has shown no 

 signs of nesting, save for the $ carrying a straw or two about, 

 but no nest has yet been commenced. They have become fairly 

 tame, and are most modest in their requirements ; so far they have 

 touched nothing but canary and white millet seed, absolutely 

 ignoring spray millet ! grit, grass in flower and a little chick- 

 weed. I have tried to tempt them with a mealworm but they 

 would have nothing to do with it, neither will they touch the 

 insectile mixture; however, as they have kept fairly fit, there is 

 no cause for complaint. I am hoping that they will yet breed, 

 Australian finches being late breeders, there is yet ample time 

 for them to do so. Several pairs have been distributed in our mem- 

 bers' birdrooms and aviaries, and one, Mr. A. L. Keith Murray, 

 has been so fortunate as to have eggs, which however were soon 



