Amaduvade Finch. 373 



My own experience has been unfortunately shared by Dr. Russ, by Prinz Ferdinand, of 

 Coburg Gotha, and all other amateurs. The bird seems to require some kind of seed or food 

 which we have yet to discover, and without which he does not thrive in Europe as a cage- 

 bird. I have heard that the Fire-tailed Finch is very shy when newly caught, and for this 

 reason is often brought over in dark cages. If this be true it may well be that the birds 

 which died so unaccountably may have perished through sheer fright in consequence of the 

 admiration of their purchasers. One of the most intelligent London dealers, who frequently 

 imported the Fire-tailed Finches, always placed them on the top shelves in his shop, out 

 of reach of observation, and seemed to lose comparatively few. The first specimen Dr. Russ 

 had in his aviary was so nervous that whenever he entered his bird-room the poor little bird 

 flew on to his hand, and tried to hide in his coat sleeve, evidently seeking for a dark shelter. 

 It is needless to say that the bird has never been bred in captivity. 



Although it would be most tempting to continue the account of the Australian Finches, 

 the list of the Zoological Society next names a very small and very well-known Indian bird. 



THE AMADUVADE FINCH [Esirelda amaniavd), India. 

 (Illustration painted from live specimens kindly lent by Mr. Charles Jamracli.) 

 ^gUitha amandava (Russ), FrhigiUa aniandava, Amadiiia pitnctaia, Aviandava punctulata, Pytelia amrnidava^ Sp07'a:ginthits 

 amandava, Linaria amandava, Fringilla punicea, Estrelda pimicea, Fringilla jnystacea, Regulus Indiciis, Bengalus 

 punctulatus. Dealers' name — Avadavat, or Averdavat. German — " Tigerfink," or " Geligerter Astrild." 



Many people who never heard the name of any other foreign Finch have heard of the 

 "Avadavat," and have possibly possessed a pair at some time, for this little bird appears to 

 have been casually sent to Europe since long ago, and has arrived of late years in ever-increasing 

 numbers. The Amaduvade Finch is one of the smallest foreign Finches, and is found in immense 

 numbers in British India and Java, where he lives on seeds, building a nest in October in low 

 bushes, or between the stems of high grasses. The nest is constructed of vegetable fibres, is 

 completely covered over, and has an opening at the side. The eggs are white, like those of 

 all the Estreldce ; their usual number seems to be four. 



This dwarf Finch has been bred repeatedly by Dr. Russ and by many amateurs, but to 

 succeed we must keep him in a high temperature. He will then propagate without loss 

 of time if other circumstances are moderately favourable. Dr. Russ found the nests con- 

 structed by Avadavats in his aviary to dift'er considerably ; sometimes a bundle of fibres, 

 bits of paper and horsehair, and in another case a more elaborate structure, which, being near 

 the food receptacles, the male bird constructed a clever sort of screen, to prevent observation 

 of the sitting hen-bird whilst the food-vessels were replenished. In my aviary the Amaduvade 

 Finch never attempted to build, as the low temperature — viz., 55° to 60° Fahr. — did not appear 

 to be sufficient for the purpose. Is it worth while to breed this little Finch .' He is imported 

 in thousands, and can be bought sometimes for a couple of shillings per pair, or less than the 

 food of a young brood would cost. The proper place of this bird in the estimation of an 

 amateur seems to me to be that of a beautiful and amiable inmate of a little aviary-cage 

 kept in the drawing-room or conservatory, where breeding is neither attempted nor desired, 

 and where he will live for many years, on millet and canary seed. 



The Avadavat is smaller than our smallest European Wren, of slender build, and vivacious 

 and graceful in his movements. His plumage is dark brown, with a carmine-red tint, and 

 covered all over with small pearl-white spots. When the breeding season arrives the red 

 tints become more brilliant, and the little bird, with his coral-red beak and shining purple 



