224 



Visits to Members' Aviaries. 



the Cordon Bleus and Lavender Finches, yet not a whit behind 

 them were the Violet-eared Waxbills; the soft, dehcate beauty 

 of the two former, and the more decided beautiful colouration 

 of the latter held one almost speechless, as the eye followed 

 them flashing- about in a setting of living-green. Their vivacity 

 < nd almost ceaseless activity held one entranced — it is doubtful 

 if the Lavenders are a true pair, for both birds had mostly a 

 piece of grass or hay in their beak as they flashed about from 

 one point of vantage to another. " Handsome is that hand- 

 some does," so of this beautiful trio the palm must go to the 

 Cordon Bleus, for they have bred freely, one pair having fully 

 reared three broods of three, two and tv.o respectively. 



The so-called sombre species, too, made a brave display 

 if hot of such elegant form as the waxbills. Who can truly 

 call the Chestnut-breasted, Bronze-winged and Rufous-backed 

 Mannikins plain or sombre ? With this trio it is the Rufous- 

 backs that have fulfilled the purpose of life, viz : to reproduce 

 their kind — quite a few have they fully reared, the older of 

 which were to be seen in the birdroom in parti-coloured gar- 

 ments, in the intermediate stage of passing from the juvenal to 

 adult plumage. 



Another quietly coloured species that has done its duty 

 in this respect is that quaint little ground bird, the Quail Finch. 

 Amid the grass and herbage they found a quiet retreat, built 

 their home and reared several families — more than one at any 

 rate. Only close observation brings this unassuming, quaint, 

 but exceedingly pretty little finch into the picture. 



Despite their lethargic reputation, the mannikins in the 

 early part of the day and the whole of the evening (during noon- 

 tide heat all species are more or less listless and dull) they were 

 certainly neither stupid nor dull, quite the reverse, being full 

 of vim, activity, and energy, incessantly on the go the whole 

 time, and a pleasing picture they made too. Of course, their 

 movements are neither so elegant nor so graceful as those of 

 some of the other groups; pleasing and interesting they 

 certainly are was the comment I made as I watched these 

 particular individuals in a state of restrained liberty amid 

 'A natural setting. 



Grassfinches : These and Mannikins are nearly akin, in 

 fact. Dr. A. C Butler has well called the former " brightly 



