150 Birds I Have Kept. 



The Bengali is supposed by Dr. Russ to be descended from 

 the Sharp-tailed Finch fMunia acuticauda), and by others from 

 the Striated Finch fM. striata J-, the plumage of these birds 

 having undergone so many alterations during centuries of do- 

 mestication, that, as in the case of the Canary, it is now 

 difficult to determine exactly from which original they are really 

 descended. 



The Bengali is about four inches in length, one inch and a 

 quarter of which belong to the tail, the two central feathers 

 of which appendage are pointed, and a quarter of an inch 

 longer than the others. 



There are said to be three varieties of Bengalis, the pure 

 white, the white and brown, and the white and buff; but as 

 these varieties, so called, do not always breed true to colour, 

 it is at least doubtful whether they are not one and the 

 same. 



Like most of the small Finches, these birds prefer to make 

 their nest in a cocoa-nut shell, a small box, or better still, 

 in the deserted toy-nest of a Weaver-bird; where, as a rule, 

 they breed as freely and with as little trouble to their 

 owner as a Canary, or less. The adult Bengali lives on canary 

 and millet seed; but where there are young ones in the nest 

 to be fed, sponge-cake, ants' eggs, and soaked seeds, must 

 in addition be supplied. These birds are not always good 

 feeders; though I imagine that much of the failure expe- 

 rienced with them is owing to the presence of parasites in 

 the nest, which either so torment the old birds that they 

 desert their brood, or so weaken the young ones that they 

 are unable, from want of rest, and actual loss of blood, to 

 stand up in the nest to be fed, and soon die miserably from 

 exhaustion. 



I need scarcely, in this connection, observe that prevention 

 is very much better, if not easier, than cure; and would re- 

 commend Keating' s insect powder, well sprinkled over the 

 nest, which will prevent the appearance of vermin, and quickly 



