140 FOREIGN FINCHES IN CAPTIVITY. 



"In July, 1878, Herr Wiener received from J. Abrahams, of 

 London, nineteen head. 



"The females are more delicate than the males. Only if they 

 arrive here in health, they are with care easy to naturalize ; they will 

 then pass the winter at five to six degrees, Reaum., sometimes below 

 four degrees. A pair built in a Hartz cage a nest of leaves and thin 

 strips of aloe-fibres, overarched, with lateral narrow entrance hole, both 

 incubated alternately in five months and five broods, twenty-three young 

 ones, but each time threw them out of the nest or deserted them 

 before they were able to fly. 



"Mr. C. W. Rex, of Darmstadt, in 1881, bred three young ones; 

 nest a deep hollow in a Hartz cage. 



" Song a comical humming with the head raised high, a zealously 

 moved beak and fan-shaped, outspread tail, turning in a dignified 

 manner from one side to the other, and then breaking off from this 

 marvellous, noiseless love dance, suddenly with a loud whistle." 



From Russ' description the song of this Waxbill (?) with the 

 exception of the flute-like terminal note, would seem to be not unlike 

 that of the common Spice-finch ; therefore, very unlike that of most 

 Astrilds. 



I quite concur with Dr. Russ that, considering how abundant this 

 Finch is in Australia, it is marvellous that so very few examples are 

 imported ; thus rendering the species so extravagantly dear, that only 

 enthusiastic bird-fanciers would dream of purchasing it.* 



Dr. C. S. Simpson has kindly sent me the following account of 

 his experience of N. phaeton : " The Australian Crimson Finches I 

 have at present, were bought in November, 1891, and are still in the 

 best of health. They seem to me to be particularly hardy little 

 creatures, bvit rather apt to lose feathers and get bald if kept too cold 

 in the winter. One, which I bought a year ago, I kept during the 

 winter in a very cold room, without a fire, and it did not seem to feel 

 the cold. It subsequently died from an accident. 



" They are extremely fond of insect food, such as small meal- 

 worms, and ant's eggs, and do not thrive unless they have a liberal 

 supply of these. I have seen it stated in some book that they are 

 ' even more delicate than the African Fire Finch ' : this may be so, if 

 they are kept entirely on seed, but it is not my experience. 



" I know of no small birds which equal these for spitefulness. I 

 tried at one time to keep them in an aviary, with other small Finches 



* In 1897 specimens were obtainable at a more reasonable rate; but I was not tempted to 

 purchase them, as I had no separate flight-cage to devote to them alone. A.G.B. 



