ir>6 Breeding of Ruficaudas, Painted Finches, etc. 



Mr. Page a very real debt of gratitude, for it was during 

 a recent visit of his liere, that he impressed on me the de- 

 sirability of providing birds with a natural flight — in other 

 words that they should have as extensive a flight as space 

 Avould allow, and that this llight should be planted with trees 

 and grasses, flowers and weeds suitable to their requirements. 

 I feel certain that the local builder and nurseryman were more 

 than pleased with Mr. Page's suggestions, but as my birds also 

 have shown their appreciation of the natural shelter and ex- 

 tended space for exercise provided, by starting their breeding 

 operations thus early in the year, I am convinced — quite 

 apart from the delight of watching the Birds, as nearly as one 

 can, under natural conditions — that the expenditure incurred in 

 the carrying out of Mr. Page's suggestions has been money 

 very well laid out indeed. 



Perhaps at starting I should mention the contents pf 

 the Greenhouse Aviary which it will be remembered was 

 figured in the April issue of Bird Notes, as it is in this 

 Aviary that the majority of my more valuable Birds :are 

 kept, viz., pairs of — i 



Painted Finches. Black -headed Gouldian Finches. 



PaiTot Finches. Cordon Bleus. 



Pileated Finches. St. Helena Waxbills. 



Cuban Finches. G-reen Singing- Finches. 



Olive Finches. Indigo Buntings. 



Banded Finches. Pintail Nonpareils, and 



Ruficauda Finches. Vai"ious Mannikins. 



Of these the following have already reared young 

 birds, which are strong on the wing, and I hope over their 

 troubles, but this cold wet weather makes one uneasy. The 

 Painted Finches laid four eggs — result, four young birds. The 

 Olive Finches laid two eggs, two young birds were hatched 

 out, one of which died in the nest when about half grown. 

 The Ruficaudas laid three eggs, result, three young birds. 



To start with the birds in the order named above: 

 I am very much indebted to Mr. Willford for his kindness 

 in letting me have the pair of Painted Finches, which bred 

 with him last year. I sent my aviary attendant, Mr. Ware- 

 ham, over to Haven Street, for them on May 5th. The birds 

 started nesting in the aviary on May 12th, and the young birds 

 left the nest on June 26th. The Painted Finches insisted 



