Tlie Breeding oj (hen t'^inchcs, etc. 14;') 



the preceding species. They did not show a desire to go to 

 nest so eurly as the Circy Finches, and it was not till July that 

 their nc-^l was complete, cunningly set in Iho joi'k of a Bay 

 bush. The nest wa^ cup-shaped, l)Ut neater and not so l)ulky 

 as that constructed by llie Griseas. Three eggs were laid 

 on successive days, and incubation lasted thirteen days. Like 

 grisea both male and female took part in nest const lud ion and 

 also in the care of the young. 



They reared their young on live food, for at least 

 seven days, and then began to take soft food and scerl, but 

 insects foi'nicd ;i large part of the food of tlic young up 

 to the time of leaving its nest; for out of the two hatched 

 out oidy one left the nest; it still lives and is now indis- 

 tinguishable from its father. When it left the nest it resembled 

 the adult female, a little duller perhaps, but even then signs 

 of black on the throat proclaimed it to Ije of the male sex. 



Now, in conclusion, just a word on the genus generally. 

 They certainly are interesting birds and if not gorgeous in 

 plumage are chastely and prettily clad birds, not one among 

 them that can be readily termed plain. They haVe a nice little 

 song, some a really good one, and very few of the numerous 

 .species and sub-species (about 40) have been bred. I have 

 possessed at least twelve species of this genus at different 

 times, and with the exception of the White -throated P^'inch 

 (S. albifjulai is) all have proved themselves safe in a mixed 

 series, and as one observes them, with their almost natural 

 deportment in a large wilderness aviary, they are most pleas- 

 ing and interesting birds. Their wants are very simple; 

 the main dietary when not feeding young is canary and millet 

 seeds, greenfood, and an occasional mealworm, but in the 

 aviary they are not keen on the latter, as they undoubtedly 

 capture what live food they require for themselves; they 

 are very fond of cuttlefish bone, and bathe daily, even in 

 the winter. There is one difficulty in connection with them, 

 for though the plumage of male and female is distict, yet the 

 femalco of some of the species are so similar, that though 

 one certainly has male and female, it is by no means easy 

 to ascertain if they are of the same species. However, though 

 very annoying and troublesome, such difficulties and their 

 accompanying disappointments are the sauce that ^ives zest 

 to the pursuit of aviculture. 



