All rights reserved. October, 1917. 



BIRD NOTES: 



THE 



JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. 



The Cherry Finch. 



AIDEMOSYNE MODEST A. 

 By Wesley T. Page. F.Z.S. 



In April of this year our member, Mr. R. Arnold of 

 Streatham, received from a friend an advice of the shipment of 

 48 Australian finches, viz : Cherry, Bicheno's, Crimson, and 

 Crouldian Finches, which, after much correspondence he w^as 

 permitted to clear under conditions. 



Two pairs each of Cherry and Crimson Finches were 

 kindly presented to me by Mr. Arnold, and from this arises the 

 present article, and another to follow on the Bicheno's Finch. 



The Cherry Finch has been known to aviculture for a 

 lony" period, but is one of those species which have appeared on 

 the Fnj^lish bird market at fitful periods and mostly in limited 

 quantities, beini^" at times really rare and mostly uncommon. 



The illustrations were kindly drawn for us (g'ratis) by our 

 member Mrs. A. M. Cook, from studies which she made of the 

 1)irds from life in Mr. Arnold's aviaries — the study of the birds 

 and nest were made by her from very rough diagrams supplied 

 by the writer of this episode in his aviary and are true to life in 

 every respect. 



The Cherry Finch agrees almost in every respect in de- 

 meanour, contour and general characteristics with its near rela- 

 tive the Silverbill (A. cantans), and like that species the hens are 

 subject to egg-binding during wet, chilly weather, of which we 

 have had much in this county (Surrey) this season. 



The Cherry Finch is most decidedly a pretty and also a 

 handsome bird, and, if not clad in tropical colours, its colour 

 arrangement is most pleasing, contrasty and the harmony is 



