9



Weavers have never attempted to build at all, perhaps because

they are bachelors.


The two side aviaries contain such other finches as I do

not care to trust in the open air. I expect these are too crowded

for breeding; I have had nests of Bengalese, Aurora, and

Rufous-backed Finches, and Pied Mannikins, but with no result.

Red-headed Gouldians filled the bottom of a box with grass, but

the hen then died egg-bound. My Parrot Finches, then in a cage,

built a nest of hay and cotton wool in a small travelling-cage in

April; but, unfortunately, the cock caught a chill and died ; I

have only lately been able to replace him.


I notice Mr. Fillmer reports that his Jacarini Finch will

eat nothing but seed ; my bird is very eager after mealworms and

■earwigs ; his disposition is quite peaceful, I have never observed

him attack other birds. The White-throated and Fined Finches

seem entirely seed-eaters; but I have lately got a hen Gutteral

Finch which is decidedly fond of mealworms and soft food

generally—is this exceptional ?


In my old garden-aviary breeding results have been better

but not altogether satisfactory. I made a considerably denser cover

this year with furze, broom, and heather, and have had a good many

nests. Three pairs of Zebra Finches have raised eight young,

and there appear to be two more broods not yet fledged. Ribbon

Pmches have hatched out two or three times, but failed to rear

their progeny; two of the cocks were bred in this aviary last

3^ear. Parson Finches have also lost two broods. A hen Nonpareil

laid and sat very steadily for ten da3^s, and then I found her

nest destroyed. Saffron Finches paired and built in March, but

the hen died egg-bound ; and a hen I bought to replace her

killed her husband, after chasing him about wildly for a couple

of days.


I have tried to keep Gouldians in this aviary, but eveiy

bird has died within a few weeks, though in perfect health at

first.


I have built another aviary, 14 feet long, 10 feet deep, and 8

feet high to the ridge, with a house at the back (double boarded)

5 feet deep, and the same length and height as the flight. The

whole is divided into two equal compartments. In the flight I

have planted ivy and bushes of box, and the front part of the

ground is turfed. One compartment is devoted to Cardinals

(Red-headed, Green, and Virginian), a cock Black-tailed Haw¬

finch, Red-headed and Japanese Buntings; these all live together

perfectly amicably, but none have attempted to breed.



