I09 



birds are larger than Blue-wings, and less amiable than 

 Budgerigars, and certainly have rather a bad reputation. 

 I should not trust them with little birds like Zebra 

 Finches, in such a small aviar}'. 



Bengalese are the onl}' birds which I should recom- 

 mend you to breed in a Canary breeding-cage. In an 

 aviary similar to yours it would be easy to breed, Ijesides 

 Zebra Finches and Budgerigars, Ribbon Finches, 

 Parson Finches, White Java Sparrows, Saffron Finches, 

 or Cockatiels. Zebra Finches will breed at almost any 

 temperature, but there is a great risk ol egg-binding if 

 it is below 60*^. 



HAND-RFARING BUDGERIGARS. 



Question. — I wish to bring up one or two Budgerigars 

 from the nest — at what age should 1 take them from the 

 nest } K. H. A. 



Answer : At the age of between three and four 

 weeks. 



THE ORTOLAN BUNTING. 



Question. — Can you tell me the correct name of a bird 

 sold to me as an " Auckland Nightingale." In plumage 

 it resembles a Brown Linnet, but is slightly larger and 

 has a yellow rim round the eye. So far it is a Nightingale 

 without a song, though it is said to be a " splendid 

 songster." A. M. W. 



Answer : The bird is simply the common Ortolan 

 Bunting — which is often sold under the absurdly 

 inappropriate name of " Auckland Nightingale." It has 

 a monotonous song, and could not be truthfully 

 described as a "splendid" songster. 



