FINCHES AND NUNS. 



upper part of the bird is fawn color, the wings and tail are a little darker, and the 

 lower part of the body is dull white. 



A pair will build the nest in a little wicker cage, or on any projecting ledge, and 

 rear the nestlings on the soaked millet and ants' eggs. Though the color of the 

 plumage is not gaudy enough to attract, it is so sleek and smooth, and shows evi- 

 dence of such care and neatness, as to excite admiration. The bird is about three 

 inches and a half long, slender, and very graceful in flight. 



The Magpie Finch, or Bronze Manakin, from Africa, is a sprightly little beauty, 

 who is very courageous and very playful. His head, throat, wings, and back are 

 black, with glossy tinges of purple and violet ; and his breast is clear white. 



In the aviary he becomes tame, and, though less than three inches long, will 

 defend his mate and his young with a dash and sharpness that put a bird twice his 

 size to flight. Like the Silver-bill, he will build the nest almost anywhere, provided 

 there is food conveniently near. He, too, thrives on the canary and millet, and 

 sings and dances even more than the Cut-throat. 



The Grass Finch, from Africa, has the same colors and markings as the Magpie, 

 but is fully a third larger than that bird. He has a pleasing song, will breed in the 

 aviary, and is cared for the same as the above. 



The intelligence possessed by these small birds when confined in cages seems all 

 the more strange when one recalls the very different habits of birds in the wild state. 

 They soon learn to distinguish individuals, and will instantly recognize with cheer- 

 ful chirps and flutteriugs whoever feeds them. Extend your hand, containing seed, 

 into the cage ; and as many as can alight in it will feed as long as permitted. If 

 accustomed to being put to bed that is, covered at a regular time each evening, 

 they will remind you of any neglect with many dissatisfied calls. 



The Orange-cheeked Waxbills are very small and active birds, pleasing singers, 

 and have bright and sleek plumage, that seems as if it were just turned out from 

 the loom. The color is mainly a light grayish brown, while the bright orange 

 patches on the cheeks give the bird his name. On the abdomen there is a diffused 

 patch of orange, gradually shaded toward the chest and sides. The tail, which is 

 somewhat longer than usual in Finches of this size, is dark brown, with a crimson 

 patch at the root : the beak is coral red. Male and female are very much alike, 

 but in the latter the orange is a paler hue. The bird is most amiable in the aviary, 

 and usually constitutes himself one of the guardians of the collection. His ever- 

 watchful eye is sure to discern the approach of a stranger ; and his short, sharp 

 chirp of alarm sounds out clearly above the chatteriugs of the multitude. 



No matter how many varieties of small Finches the aviary may contain, the pair 

 of Orange-cheeks, though social and well disposed towards all, is seldom seen apart ; 

 and a case is not known where either a male or a female of this variety ever ac- 

 cepted any other variety for a mate if one of its own was to be had. 



These birds are especially desirable for a collection, because they are so gentle 

 and handsome, and have such pleasing songs. Moreover, they are easily accli- 

 mated, and live many years. 



The Common Waxbill is imported in larger numbers than any other of the small 

 Finches. His color is grayish brown, marked with delicate wavy lines athwart the 

 body. The abdomen has a bright roseate hue, deepest in the centre, and faintest 



