Australian Finches in California. ii 



though a httle domineering- amongst the smaller birds. 



The Diamond Finch (Stcganuplcura guttata) is also very 

 well known here, and has not that tyrannical reputation that he 

 is enjoying in Europe. It breeds easily, and most of the 

 aviaries have a few pairs of them. 



We have also, from time to time, liberal supplies of 

 Cherry-headed Finches ( Aidcmosync modcsta) called here 

 Plum-headed Finches; of Chestnut-breasted Finches (Munia 

 castancithorax) ; of Pectoral Finches (M. pectoraVis), and 

 occasionally a few Crimson Finches (Ncochmia phaeton), called 

 here Blood Finches. Last May I succeeded in acquiring seven 

 pairs of Crimsons; several of them have been laying already. 



We get also, but very rarely now, some Rufous-tailed 

 lynches (Bathilda rnficauda) called here by our dealers " Star 

 Finches." But none of my friends have been able yet to 

 acquire a Painted Finch (Emblcma picta) , or a Fire-tailed Finch 

 (Zonoegiiithus hclhis). They must be very scarce, even in 

 Australia, when we don't see them in our bird markets. 



I was on the point of forgetting to mention one of my 

 favotuntes, the sprightly little Bicheno's Finch (Stictoptern 

 bichcnoz'i), called here the Owl Finch. We have the two 

 kinds — the Bicheno's and the Double-barred, so alike but for 

 the markings on the rump. They are very sturdy birds, very 

 active — in fact the most active birds known to me, and the 

 hardest to catch in an aviary. But they are very good breeders. 



The Sidney Waxbills (Aegintha tonporalis) are not as 

 common in our aviaries now as they used to be a few years ago. 

 However, a few fortunate aviarists possess some good breeders 

 in their collection. 



Now that the embargo on foreign Ijirds is raised we mav 

 expect to see again many Australian Finches imported bv our 

 wealthy aviarists, and my fondest hope is to see the time when 

 aviculture will be as popular in the United States as it is on the 

 European Continent. We are yet young here, but we are 

 progressing- fast on that line as well as on all other lines, and 

 the future will bring many surprises for the fancy. May our 

 hopes be realised soon ! 



