ii2 FOREIGN FINCHES IN CAPTIVITY. 



eight in number, are very small, round and white. This species moults 

 twice a year, the male after breeding assuming the plumage of the 

 female. Large numbers are taken in many parts of the country and 

 caged. The male has a pleasant little song, and it is also said to fight 

 with much spirit, for which purpose it is kept by the natives. The 

 popular name of Amaduvad was originally applied to this species, and 

 Mr. Blyth has shown that this word took its origin from the city of 

 Ahmedabad, whence it used to be imported into Europe in numbers." 

 F. Buchanan Hamilton states that it " inhabits long reeds on the 

 banks of rivers. In spring, and the rainy season, it goes in large 

 flocks ; in October, they pair and begin to build." 



There is not the slightest difficulty in getting this species to build 

 in an aviary, if bushes are provided in which it can construct a nest, 

 and plenty of hay for it to work with : I have had several of these 

 nests built both in my bird-room and cool aviary : they are large 

 obtusely elliptical structures; with a perpendicular length of some nine 

 or ten inches, and a diameter of about five inches ; the entrance hole 

 is neatly formed a little above the middle and in front. 



In every instance in which my Amaduvades have built, other 

 birds have turned them out and taken possession of the nests. My 

 first nest was built in a box-tree in the bird-room ; but it was no 

 sooner completed than a pair of Cordon Bleus drove out the little 

 architects and seized their dwelling ; these in turn, were ejected by a 

 pair of Lavender Finches. The fight for possession, shortly afterwards, 

 resulted in the death of the cock Cordon Bleu, and about the same 

 time the hen Lavender Finch expired ; the two widowed birds now 

 consorted and occupied the nest for some time without result. 



In my outer aviary all the nests were seized as fast as thev were 

 completed by a cock Parson Finch, who simply used them to roost in, 

 and made a back door to each nest for his own convenience, or else to 

 gratify his destructive instincts. One hen Amaduvade died egg- 

 bound ; but no eggs were deposited in any of these nests. 



At dawn, and even a little earlier, you will hear the Amaduvades 

 calling to and answering one another in an aviary ; the call notes are 

 clear and musical, like the song, and may be syllabled thus : " Tsee, 

 hit, tse-eo." 



Dr. Russ is a great admirer of the Amaduvade; he says: "I 

 might pronounce this bird to be not only one of the most beautiful, 

 but also the most lovable of all little Astrilds ; I consider it the most 

 pleasing of all." 



" The feathering changes in an extraordinary manner, becomes 



