8 



Mannikins. 



(ioodcliikl drew, some years ago, at L.C.B.A. Horticultural 



Hall Show, 1914. 



Ki:\ TO I'LATI':. 

 I. Spice X Bib Finch. 

 -J. Silverbill x Bengalese. 

 3. Red-vented x Red-eared JJullnil. 

 4 and 6. Magpie Mannikin x Bengalese. 

 5. Greenfinch x Himalayan Siskin. 



Yet, withal, the Tri-coloured Mannikin has not been brefl 

 as a species so far as I am aware of, thoui^h it has been success- 

 fully crossed with other Munias. 



I must hasten these notes to a completion, dealing- with 

 the species yet unnoted collectively, putting the Java Sparrow, 

 Bengalese Finch, and Spice Finch first as a trio of strikingiv 

 noticeable aviary-birds; perhaps their order of merit is as I 

 have placed them ; certainly there are few finer spectacles than ,> 

 group of 6-8 Java Sparrows dispersed amid the foliage of a 

 roomy garden-aviary. The White variety of this species is 



Spice Im'iicIi X Bengalor Hybrid. 



even more noticeable and beautiful. The pretty Bengalese 

 Finch can scarcely liide itself, so noticeable is its colouration; 

 this applies to all three forms — the White. Fawn and White, and 

 Chocolate and White. The Spice 1^'inch is also a striking an 1 

 beautiful l)ir(l. with its warm chestnut-cinnamon back, and 

 beautifully laced white underparts; this species is a shy breeder, 

 yet it has been successfully crossed many times with various 

 other Munias. 



