The Avadavat. 167 



then; they are very partial to aphides, and small flies, upon 

 which they are said to rear their young. 



The male has a pretty little song, surprisingly loud for the 

 size of the bird, which he is constantly singing: he is also very 

 lively and active, and extremely attentive to his little wife, 

 whose head and neck feathers he is continually preening, unless 

 when engaged in eating and singing. 



Avadavats are imported in thousands from India, and live 

 for a long time in this country, once they have become accli- 

 matised; but unfortunately many of them die before that desirable 

 consummation is attained: and the reason, I think, of this is 

 that they are imported in small boxes wired in front, in large 

 numbers, they keep each other warm, no matter how severe the 

 weather, by their mutual heat: but when two or three pairs 

 are separated from their companions, and placed by themselves 

 in an open cage, they soon get a chill, which, if it does not 

 kill them right off, sows the seeds of various complaints to 

 which the poor little creatures soon succumb. The only time 

 to buy these birds is during the summer months; although 

 the purchaser will then have to pay a larger price than during 

 the winter: a moment's reflection will satisfy the reader as 

 to the correctness of my views in this respect, I think, and save 

 him from some loss, and a great deal of disappointment. 



The Avadavat, as I have said, is, when once acclimatised, 

 sufiiciently hardy to live all the year round in an ordinary sitting 

 room; but under such circumstances he is often apt to become 

 bald; the remedy is to place him in a temperature of about 85° 

 Fahr, by day, and not lower than 60° by night, when he will 

 grow his feathers again rapidly. 



There is no doubt these birds would breed freely in a well 

 heated aviary; but as they can be purchased for two or three 

 shillings a pair, it seems scarcely worth while taking any trouble 

 to produce them at home. 



