;nS Freeh/ Imported Speeies. 



blood-red Finch, in reality one of the tiniest and most Ix-autiful 

 of the smaller seed-eaters, is always regarded as extremely 

 delicate, and this is perfectly true of freshly imported speci- 

 ni^ens. Although the price is but 3s. 6d. per pair, one is 

 apt to find an acclimatised pair rather expensive, when this 

 has only been attained after the loss of several pairs. It is, 

 however, possible, to save the majority of one's purchases if 

 one only gaes about it the right way; personally I have been 

 fairly successful both with Firefinches, and Cordon Eleus, but 

 only since 1 adopted the following method of procedure, which,- 

 although not infallible, leaves the chances very much in favour 

 of the buyer. 



Choosing the Birds: The method I adopt is as follows: 

 I go to the dealer's shop and ask for a pair ofFiieflnches, ,an' 

 examination of the various cages shows say a dozen in one 

 cage, more in another, etc., most of them inclined to be puffy. 

 The best are caught, their feet, eyes, and breast bone examined 

 and any which are thin are at once discarded, those that pass 

 this test are then put into travelling cages, one pair in a cage", 

 until we have several cages, each containing a pair of birds; one 

 must remember, however, that the absence. of a few feathers is 

 of very little consequence as compared with plumpness and clean 

 ieei.. These cages are now put on a shelf where the birdS' will 

 not be disturbed every few monients, and are left there for, say, 

 ten minutes, by which time. , thesy . will have recovered from 

 the shock of being caught. On again examining them some are 

 seen to be puffy, others quite tight in plumage, and liright 

 of eye. The puffy ones are removed, and others take their 

 place — ultimately we have a few cages of nice perky looking 

 Fireflnches. If you require three pairs, buy four, so as to 

 allow foi i)ossible deaths in acclimatisation, as it is most annoy- 

 ing to have to start this process over again when a ^iJQe spell 

 of fine weather is on us. Others may do as I do, buy .the lot . 

 and then sell off any surplus. 



Nursing the New Arrivals: Having chosen your 

 birds, put them in a travelling cage with seed and water, wrap 

 them up and get them home as quickly as possible. On arrival, 

 not before, the paper comes oft" and our purchases having. had 

 their nails cut, arc put into a cage, not a very large, one, but 

 larg(^ enough for a small Oy from one perch to anothei'. A 



