io2 FOREIGN FINCHES IN CAPTIVITY. 



"On the i yth July, we were encamped in the open forest 

 country, in the immediate vicinity of the western flanks of the hill- 

 ranges of the extreme eastern section of the Bhundara District. 



"In a sugar-cane field of about two acres in extent, on the bank 

 of a broad hill-torrent, I found four unfinished and three complete 

 nests, each containing five eggs, of 5. formosa. 



" The nests, one and all, were some five feet from the ground, in 

 the upper portion of the sugar-cane, the stalk forming a side support 

 opposite the entrance. The framework of the nest is first strongly 

 and neatly secured by lacings of coarse grass between two of the 

 cane-leaves, one above and the other below ; but as the building 

 proceeds, three if not four, additional leaves are caught on to the 

 sides of the nest and firmly interlaced in the exterior material. The 

 inner portion or lining is completed last. When finished, the nests 

 are large globular structures, made exteriorly of coarse grass and 

 strips of the cane-leaf itself, the inner cavity being thickly lined with 

 very fine grass, all somewhat compactly put together. 



" The entrance-hole, which is prolonged into a short neck, is 

 invariably in the centre, opposite the sides supported by the cane- 

 stalk, and is well concealed by projecting grass-fibres. 



" Five is apparently the normal number of the eggs, and both 

 sexes are equally employed in building the nest, and incubating the 

 eggs. One male was shot busily at work, at the short neck of the 

 nest, the female the while sitting on the eggs. Evidently a new nest 

 is prepared each successive season, and I think they always breed in 

 society, several nests being found in close proximity. 



" The eggs, as might be expected, are snow-white and entirely 

 devoid of gloss. In shape they are somewhat elongated ovals, some 

 few of them slightly compressed towards one end." 



The eggs laid by my own birds were not specially elongated : in 

 fact they might have passed for those of any other of the smaller 

 Weaving Finches : it is probable, therefore, that they vary in shape 

 according to the health of the bird, like those of most other species. 



" First imported into Germany (according to Dr. Russ) in the 

 late summer of 1873, up to nearly the end of 1874, through Hagen- 

 beck's store, this pleasingly coloured Ornamental Finch had gained a 

 holding in all bird-rooms. From 1875, quite up to the end of 1881, 

 it was entirely missing from the bird-market ; since then it has 

 always, spasmodically, yet in considerable numbers, been again im- 

 ported. In aspect, size and disposition it resembles the Tiger-Astrild 

 (Common Amaduvade) yet, unlike it, is more calm and quiet." 



