.1 CaHloni'uni ,\-i'iar yaiid its I h mate 



75 



Cv\\\ L'ixciii:s : Tlie female started a nest this sin-iiii^ and 

 was quickly joined by the male. The nest was constructed 

 entirely of dried .^rass, and lined with cotton wool. I'^our ei;"m"s, 

 white in colour, minutely speckled with retl at the larger end. 

 were laid. 1 foolishly took them away from the birds and put 

 them under a '^ebra Finch hen. who died on the nest. All the 

 eg;j;s were fertile. 



J.w.\ X().\i>.\Ki:n.s : I purchased two pairs of these birds 

 last Spring from a dealer who had just ,^ot a shipment of about 

 100. Every bird was in spick and span condition, a most 

 unustial tiling' for newly arrived birds of this species. Both 

 males have been anxious to mate for some time, and are con- 

 tinually making- love to the hens, but these have so far remained 

 indifferent to their advances. When Java Nonpareils first 

 arrive they seem to eat nothini;' but paddy lice. Mine have 

 now forsaken that almost, if not quite, entirely for hulled oatts. 



Grasstinches. 



Rainbow Buntings : These live almost wholly on paddy 

 and fruit. They are very fond of mealworms too. and soon 

 yet quite tame and fearless. T have had many of these birds 

 and find that it is useless to buy them unless they are in full 

 colour, as they never seem to get it in captivity. Beautiful 

 though they undoubtedly are, they are very shy and retiring in 

 an aviary, only leaving" the thickest part of the shrubbery to 

 drink, bathe or eat. 



