2go FOREIGN FINCHES IN CAPTIVITY. 



five eggs, from the beginning of April (on April nth featherless 

 nestlings), until now, the second half of May. I saw several nests, 

 some with young birds, quite close together in very tall thick grass." 



"As long as the Fire Finches wear their ordinary brown plumage, 

 they fly about in such close company, with Ploceus sanguinirostris, that 

 a shot sent into the closely flying swarm regularly brings down a 

 number of specimens of both kinds (Mdaburu in Ugogo). At even- 

 tide, these flocks settle among the reeds of almost dried-up swamps to 

 drink and sleep. From every direction, first singly, then in ever- 

 increasing numbers, the flocks come with a particularly rapid and 

 loudly whirring flight, wheeling around closely packed together, with 

 precipitate movements like a flock of grey plover, to and fro, then 

 sinking down noiselessly into neighbouring bushes, where they begin 

 their confused noise, which rather increases than decreases. Hence 

 they fling themselves among the reeds, then back into the bushes, and 

 soon increase so much in force, that their ascent resembles distant 

 thunder, in quite a deceptive way. The masses thus gradually advance 

 to the border of open lakes, and then throw themselves on to the 

 water, from suitable spots, where the clumps of reeds are bent down- 

 wards in the form of a terrace, owing to their constantly being used 

 for this purpose; here they fly up and down for a long period, forming 

 an unbroken stream. If one hid oneself in one of the thick bushes, 

 into which the birds were accustomed to fly, one felt a considerable 

 compression of the air, when the flocks flew towards and into it like a 

 living wall ; and if one goes through the reeds when it is dark, black, 

 noisy waves, formed by the birds, disturbed from their sleep, seemed to 

 roll over the marsh. The rapid, restless, shy and fugitive behaviour of 

 the Fire Finches, at this time, contrasts wonderfully with their com- 

 posed, self-complacent manner, when they are accustomed to sun 

 themselves, and strut on the tops of stalks, twittering and shaking 

 their wings, with bristling plumage, in their garb of the mating 

 season." 



Dr. Russ remarks : " The bird-shops only occasionally receive 

 the Flame Finch, which fanciers and dealers are usually unable to 

 distinguish with certainty from the Orange-bird. When carefully 

 examined, it is seen to be altogether slightly larger, more slim, and 

 the glowing colours red and black are differently distributed. In the 

 bird-room the Flame Finch is somewhat quieter, not quite so boisterous, 

 but otherwise agreeing in every detail with the other Fire Weavers. 



" Zealous fanciers may depend upon this, that the male and 

 female of this species, as well in ornamental as in grey plumage, may 



