154 FOREIGN FINCHES IN CAPTIVITY. 



"Size, entire disposition, love-dance, etc., like that of the Diamond 

 Finch. Call-note more prolonged. This lovely species has subsequently 

 been imported more frequently and in greater numbers by the large 

 dealers. They appeared stronger and more sprightly than those which 

 I first possessed, yet both with Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg- 

 Gotha, and myself, they quickly died; whereas some pairs which J. 

 Abrahams sold in London and Paris, got on well." 



Dr. Russ evidently regards this as a Grass-finch; yet it is more 

 generally recognized as a Waxbill, but I suspect he is right. 



The question now arises Why were Dr. Russ, Prince Ferdinand, 

 and Mr. Wiener unable to keep this finch alive; whereas, English and 

 French fanciers had no difficulty in doing so ? It strikes me that the 

 German bird-lover regularly keeps his birds warmer throughout the 

 year. This treatment, which enables him, without trouble, to keep 

 alive the more delicate American and African species, is not necessary 

 for the Australian finches. 



It is very difficult to provide a high temperature, without the 

 accompaniment either of stuffiness or draught. To the Australian 

 finches more than any others, fresh pure air seems to be a necessity: 

 dry cold they seem entirely to ignore. Whilst the hardiest European 

 finches sit huddled together for warmth, and frequently die when 

 wintered in a cold aviary, the small Grass-finches and Waxbills of 

 Australia behave as though it were summer; flying merrily about, 

 singing and dancing to their mates, building nests and unfortunately 

 attempting to breed. This is the sole drawback ; for the cold 

 clear air which appears to invigorate the birds themselves, neverthe- 

 less, hinders the deposition of lime on the surface of the eggs, 

 and contracts the egg-passage; so that all the hen birds which 

 attempt to breed in a cold aviary during the winter, die from egg- 

 binding. 



If I ever obtain examples of this Fire-tailed Finch, I shall not 

 attempt to keep them through the winter in a high temperature ; 

 neither shall I risk turning such valuable birds into a cold aviary ; 

 but they shall have a cage to themselves, with a box to retire to at 

 night, and a temperature of about fifty degrees Fahr. during the cold 

 weather. Although it seems presumptuous to suggest such treatment 

 to the most successful of all bird-keepers, I feel convinced, that if Dr. 

 Russ were to try the Fire-tailed Finch again under these conditions, 

 he would be able to keep them alive. I find that several of the 

 regular stove plants which give trouble to the horticulturist, grow and 

 bloom better under cool treatment. 



