The Lavender Finch. 55 



The Lavender Finch. 



By Andrew P^hilip. 



Everyone who has possessed this dehghiful Waxbill 

 ( Lagonosticta cacriilcscens) will no doubt agree with me that 

 it is one of the prettiest and most interesting' of the Waxbill 

 family. Its Ijeauty of plumage, activity, pretty flight, and the 

 ease with which it is tamed, combined with the low figure a1 

 which it can be always purchased, ought to insure its inclusion 

 in every collection. 



Lavender h'inches are easily kept in perfect health (at 

 least that is my exeperience) on the following" dietary : Canary 

 and white millet seed, millet spray, grass seed in the ear (a sod 

 of grass just as pulled out of the earth with the mould attache J 

 is a source of great delight), a little sponge cake, with a few 

 ants' eggs, and about a couple of mealworms each daily. Of 

 the latter they are exceedingly fond : they do not eat them like 

 Weavers and insectivorous birds do. but run them along in 

 their beaks, extract the soft parts and leave the skins. When 

 I take up the box of mealworms and open the door of my indoor 

 aviary, they will come at once, perch on my fingers, hands, or 

 arms, all excitement till they get their worm, when they at once 

 go back to the cage to enjoy it at their leisure. The skins 

 they will store away in some corner or coco-nut husk, and unless 

 you are aware of this, and clean out all nests and husks reg- 

 ularly, you will be surprised at the " find " you will discover 

 some morning. 



Being exceedingly fond of a bath, they should never 

 be without a plentiful supply of fresh water. 



For some time my pair ha\'e been turning their attention 

 to setting up house, and take great interest in a converted cigar 

 box decorated with A'irginian bark. Next month I intend turn- 

 ing them into an out-door aviary, in the hope that they will 

 breed. 



Their love-dance is most entertaining. 



Reprinted from " Bird Notes," Vol. I page 160 (ipo2). 



