6 4 FEATHERED FRIENDS. 



hay and blades of grass in the centre of which they 

 will make a depression which they line thickly with 

 small feathers, or, failing these, with cotton-wool or 

 cow-hair, and, as in the case of their relative the Zebra. 

 Finch, they will do better in the former than in the 

 latter situation. 



Care should be taken not to supply them with any 

 material, such as wool, or long hair, that might get 

 twisted round their toes, and, by stopping the circulation, 

 cause the latter to wither and fall off, as I have seen 

 occur on one or two occasions with these as well as 

 with other birds. 



As the nails grow quickly, they should be looked 

 after, and cut when requisite ; this, however, is necessary 

 rather in the house than where the birds are enjoying 

 comparative liberty outside. 



The sexes closely resemble each other, but the female 

 is duller in colour than the male. 



The scientific name is Pocphila cincta. 



