Freely Imported Species and their Treatment. 107 



it is mostly seen in hedges and scrub and but seldom on the 

 ground, and I am of the opinion that insect life plays a larger 

 part in its " bill of fare " than is generally admitted. The 

 nest has been found in nearly every month of the year, so that 

 several broods must be reared each season. 



In Captivity: These appear to nest readily, certainly in 

 the instance I am describing they did so, and in the middle 

 compartment of the cage, took to the Hartz travelling-cage 

 at once, and constructed a domed nest therein, laying five white 

 eggs, of which they hatched out and fully reared four; immedi- 

 atel}' going to nest again, and laying six more; of this brood 

 only three were fully reared. ,Incubation in each instance 

 lasted twelve to thirteen days. The young were fed largely 

 on regurgitated seed, though soft food was eaten freely, and 

 they were very keen on catching Hies, also during the time 

 they were feeding young grcenfood was greedily eaten. A 

 more extended acquaintance with this species confirms me in 

 my first observations, as to its fondness for insect food. It 

 has a pretty soft rippling song, is hardy and long lived 



Diet: Canary, white millet, millet sprays, grcenfood, 

 grit, and cuttlebone, with the addition of soft food when they 

 are feeding young. 



The Bronze Mannikin (Spermestes cuculhUa) : An- 

 other charming African species, which ought to be in every 

 collection of small birds. Jt is but little larger than, an 

 Avadavat, but is more stoutly built, with a really formidable 

 beak, but is neverless quite amiable, though well able to 

 take care of itself if interfered with; a charming species 

 either for cage or aviary. 



Dbsceiption: Upper surface dark brown; top of head 

 blackish with greenish sheen; forehead black; rump and upper 

 tail-coverts brown, barred with white; tail black; shoulder 

 band metallic green; sides of head, chin, throat, and chest 

 bronzy -brown, glossed with purplish; breast, and abdomen 

 white, sides of body barred with black and brown; beak 

 leaden -grey; feet dark brown. The female is similar, has a 

 narrower head, more tapering beak, the glossy areas of the 

 male are slightly smaller in the female and less lustrous also, 

 when comparing adult birds. 



Wild Life: But very little has been recorded concern- 



