236 



He proved to be a very coiiipanioiiable bird, and 

 speedil}^ made himself at home in the large flight cage. 

 His manner towards the Mannikins, and to the other 

 companions he afterwards had. was generally that of 

 hail-fellow-well-met, though at times there was just a 

 touch of hauteur in his bearing. I certainly never had 

 to punish him, as I was sometimes obliged to do with 

 other members of the famil^^ After a time his " hair " 

 grew plenteoush', and good health, the outcome of 

 good living, gave him a decidedly sleek and prosperous 

 appearance. He would often whistle quite a pretty 

 little song, sometimes very early in the morning 

 before the rest of the world was stirring. 



As I was only then keeping the birds for their 

 beauty— I suppose most foreign bird keepers s/^r/ with 

 that idea — I made no attempt at breeding, though, for 

 the guidance of our younger members, may add that, 

 given a good sized aviar}', this is not a difficult 

 accomplishment. 



I cannot recall exactly how long I had this 

 particular bird, but it was some three or four years, 

 and he caused me no trouble whatever during that 

 time. Therefore if any of my readers are in their 

 avicultural youth and have not yet made the 

 acquaintance of the Saffron Finch, I, for one, cordially 

 recommend him as a cheerful, jolly little bird, who 

 will brighten the collection by his beauty, and be 

 content with seed and a bath as his daily portion, and 

 will also be grateful for luxuries in the .shape of a 

 mealworm, spider, or some grass in flower, whenever 

 his owner is able to provide them for him. 



I have mentioned that at the time of purchasing 

 the Saffron Finch, I already had some Mannikins. 

 Well, these identical creatures were the first foreign 

 birds I kept, and I remember, as if it were but yester- 

 day, all the details connected with their arrival. 



I had some time previously bought a large flight 



