Bicheno's and Ringed Finches. 255 



Zebra Finches, which hatched the eggs, together with three of 

 their own and successfully brought up all the young viz : two 

 Bicheno's and three Zebra Finches. 



These charming birds are not wild even as new arrivals, 

 anci become tame and confiding almost at once, whether the 

 a^iary be large or small. In a naturally planted aviary they 

 spend a largish portion of their time on the ground, and feed 

 largely on the seeds of grasses and other weeds forming herb- 

 age among the bushes. They eat white and Indian millet seed, 

 also canary seed freely, but will leave them all alone so long as 

 there is a millet spray in the aviary. The general experience is 

 that they need no extra food when rearing young, but if there is 

 not a large supply of green food growing in the aviary (grass 

 and other weeds) this should be supplied fresh twice daily. They 

 are active vivacious birds, but T have never detected their song; 

 their call note is toy-trumpet like, very similar to that of the 

 Zebra Finch, but less vigorous, with one or two rather high 

 plaintive notes thrown in. They have never been really cheap 

 or in very large numbers on the market, though occasionally 

 fairly numerous consignments have come to hand. 



Fl'is species has been crossed with the Zebra Finch and a 

 pleasing and striking hybrid was the result. One of this cross 

 was exhibited at the Crystal Palace Show some years ago, which 

 had I think, been bred in Germany or Belgium. 



As the two species are so similar in their general habits 

 and economy, it is needless for me to quote details of Nesting of 

 the Ringed Finch, etc., as it would be merely repeating what is 

 written above, except for the name of the bird, so I will close 

 this article with a quotation from Mr. A. J. Campbell's " Nests 

 and Eggs of Australian Birds," describing the nesting of the 

 Ringed Finch in a state of nature as under : 



" This pretty finch was only seen near tlie Fitzroy River, where it was 

 " breeding- during February and March. By a close observation of the 

 " materials used it is possible to determine to which species of finch the 

 " nest belongs. The Ringed Finch usually chooses a site in some drooping 

 " branch about ten feet from the ground. In the case of those examined 

 " the outer covering was invariably very coarse^ — dead grass loosely woven 

 " together — but the lining was of the finest silver grass, and a marvel of 

 " neatness. Six eggs form the clutch. Although some were perfectly 

 •' white, one clutch from which I caught the bird had a faint bluish tinge, 

 ■' similar to those of the Chestnut-eared Finch.'"* 

 * Zebra Finch, 



