lo6 The Endurance of Birds. 



and is almost identical in habits deportment, etc., with the 

 preceding- species. 



It is one of the most familiar finches of India, and fre- 

 quents inhabited and cultivated districts, breeding- nearly the 

 whole year round. The nest, nesting economy, and eggs, are 

 similar to those of V . acuticaiida. 



It has been fairly often bred in this country, and also is 

 quite ready to mate and nest with other species of this group, 

 when a mate of its own kind is not available. 



As regards its life and deportment in the aviary, this is 

 identical with that of the preceding species, and need not be 

 repeated here. 



It is a pretty aiid desirable species for a mixed series. 



Yellow-ruaiped Finch (Mitnia flavipryiniia) : Similar 

 in form and colour (different arrangement thoughj to the 

 Chestnut-breasted Finch, and is equally handsome. With the 

 exception of two fairly large consignments it has not been 

 largely imported, and lias only been known to aviculture for 

 about ten years. 



Its habits and deportment, both in its native wilds 

 (Australia) and in the aviary, are so similar to those of the 

 Chestnut-breasted Finch, wdiich has already been dealt with in 

 this series, that it w^ould be a waste of space to repeat them. 



Though not a free breeder in captivity several avicultur- 

 ists have successfully bred it. 



I have wintered this species out of doors without ditiiculty, 

 and consider it a most desirable aviary bird. 



Its great beauty is seen to great advantage in a naturally 

 planted aviary and its charming colour arrangement makes it 

 a conspicuous object in the aviary. 



Zebra I""inch (Tacniopygia casta iiotis). This charming 

 and well known Australian finch is the most prolific of 

 imported hnches. 



it will adapt itself to any kind of nest receptacle, or 

 construct a domed nest in a bush, shrub or twiggy branch. 



