AMANDAVA, OR AVODAVINE FINCH. 131 



AMANDAVA, OR AVODAVINE FINCH. 



This beautiful little bird, although a native of the 

 warm counties of Asia, bears the vicissitudes of 

 our climate remarkably well; although small, 

 they are hardy, and there are many of them kept 

 in Boston, and other parts of the country. They 

 are generally brought in pairs, but will live alone 

 in a cage. Like all the Asiatic birds, they are 

 very loving, and will sit close nestled together 

 on the perch, whether males or females, picking 

 round one another's bills like the Java Finches. 

 The male is a delightful little songster, and, on 

 hearing it for the first time, you are astonished 

 that such a diminutive bird could sing such a loud 

 note. In cold weather they should be kept mod- 

 erately warm, but I have kept them in winter 

 where there was no fire after sundown. 



FOOD. They are generally fed on millet seed ; 

 I have had those that would eat Canary ; they 

 may have both ; a blade of lettuce or cabbage 

 occasionally ; gravel, and water to wash. 



CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEXES. The male has 

 the head and lower parts of a deep fiery red ; the 

 upper parts brownish gray, tinged with red ; 



