INTRODUCTION. vii 



To the English breeder of Foreign Finches, the works of Dr. 

 Russ, the great German Aviculturist, are unfortunately but little 

 known. This marvellously industrious breeder, has succeeded in rearing 

 the majority of the regularly imported, and many of the rarely imported 

 species. His descriptions of the habits, nidification, young plumage, 

 songs ; and last (but by no means least) the proper management of 

 the iniinerous species which have, for many years, been under his 

 care, are so complete in every detail ; that any book treating of birds 

 in captivity, would be in the highest degree imperfect which did not 

 fully recognize their importance. 



I have, therefore, not hesitated to translate largely from Dr. 

 Russ' writings, for the benefit of those who may desire to follow 

 the example of this most indefatigable Bird-lover. I fully believe 

 that, in so doing, I shall bring to the notice both of amateur 

 and scientific Ornithologists, many important facts, which he has 

 elucidated ; and of which, up to the present time, they have not been 

 aware. 



The breeding of Foreign Birds has, for many years past, been a 

 hobby with German Naturalists ; whereas, in England, this branch of 

 aviculture is still in its infancy. Without a knowledge of the proper 

 mode of procedure, which a study of the works of our German friend 

 affords, there must needs be many futile experiments made by English 

 breeders, before they can hope to attain the success which has rewarded 

 the aviarists of the Fatherland : but, by carefully studying and following 

 out Dr. Russ' very explicit instructions, I believe that much loss and 

 disappointment to themselves, and considerable injury to their feathered 

 foster-children may be avoided. 



In the following pages, mention has been made of birds imported 

 by myself from abroad. It must be candidly admitted that this is a 

 very expensive method of adding to one's stock ; for although, by good 

 luck, I thereby acquired several rare species, and so received a fair 

 exchange for my outlay, the majority of the birds sent home were not 

 what had been ordered, some were in ill health when received, and 

 several were undesirable additions. 



Therefore, unless they have personal friends, who will not only 

 purchase the birds abroad from the natives, at a reasonable rate, and 

 attend to them properly on the journey to this country ; amateurs will 

 do far better by purchasing such birds as they require from those 

 whose business it is to import ; even though they may fancy, that by 

 so doing, they are paying double or treble the price for them. When 

 birds are purchased abroad, they must be paid for at the time ; and 



