274 My Aviary and Birds. 



Red-billed Weavers: I have found their indefatig- 

 able nest building most interesting, as well as the birds them- 

 selves, but alas ! there have been no eggs. 



ScALV-CROWNED FiNCiiES: I purchased these of a 

 London dealer in fine feather. They soon showed signs of ill- 

 health. Mr. Ernest Suggitt was called in and advised im- 

 mediate removal to the kitchen stove, and the result was 

 astonishing. I kept 'them in the house for three weeks, and 

 then transferred them to the aviary. They are now nesting in 

 a cork -bark nest outside the shelter, and eggs are about due to 

 hatch, and I trust success may crown their efforts. They are most 

 daring little birds, will attack any other bird that approaches 

 their domicile. T-.n for the timely advice of Mr. Suggitt, I 

 fear that I should have lost these interesting mites. 



Fire Finches.- These are beautiful and interesting. 

 They have nested on three occasions, but each time their 

 nests have been molested by other birds, probably ribbon 

 finches, who are thieves of nesting material. 



Singing Finches: Most lively and interesting birds 

 for an outside aviary, but are inclined to be pugnacious, 

 especially with Canaries or birds of similar colour. They roost 

 in shrubs, summer and winter. 



Ribbon Finches: Had better luck with these birds- 

 six young birds have been fully reared and results would 

 have been better still had I not disturbed them while nesting— 

 they resent their eggs or young being handled. I have found 

 several nestlings dead outside the nests. 



Spice Finches: These nested and four eggs were 

 deposited in the nest ; a little later the hen was found dead 

 in the nest. i ■ i 



Indigo Bunting : Most active, beautiful and charm- 

 ing bird for the general aviary. 



Alario Finch: The cock is a happy little chap, 

 possesses quite a nice song, but he is exceedingly bad man- 

 nered and greedy on the seed-tray. 



