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•either cocoa-nut husks, or Hartz-cages, or the well-known cigar-

box pattern. I think the birds prefer the husks, but I prefer the

•cigar-boxes, as they are cleaner and it is easier to remove dead

nestlings from them.


There must not be more than one pair of Ribbon Finches

in the same aviary, and it is better that there should be no other

occupants. But Ribbon Finches, as a rule, are tolerably peace¬

able, and at the same time very capable of defending their nests;

therefore, other birds may often be placed in the aviary without

disaster ensuing.


Fine hay is sufficient for the nest, and the best plan is to

throw some handfuls into a corner of the aviary, for the exercise

of carrying it up to the nest-box is good for the birds.


As to food :—Of course there must be a constant supply of

white millet and canary seed, and in addition either “ spray

millet ” or the so-called “ Indian ” millet should be given. Fgg-

food in some form is also required for feeding the young, and I

found that hard-boiled egg and biscuit, prepared as if for

Canaries, was preferred to the preserved egg, but the preserved

egg would doubtless do as well and is much more convenient.

Soaked ants’ eggs may also be given, but are certainly not

essential; I cannot say whether the birds succeed better without

them, for according to my experience they did neither good nor

harm.


Green meat should be given daily while there are young

in the nest. Chickweed (not too rank and luxuriant), water

cress, and lettuce, are all good. Groundsel is useless. Water

cress is very wholesome and much liked by the birds, but is said

to be sometimes the means of introducing bird-fever.


Crushed egg-shell should be supplied, especially when the

hens are laying. But if the hens be healthy and the weather

warm there is not much risk of egg-binding.


And now, having waited till the proper season, placed

your birds in a suitable aviary, and supplied them with everything

they require in the way of food and nesting materials, you

naturally expect to rear brood after brood without mishap. Well,

you may do so, and on the other hand you may not. Ribbon

Finches are most perverse creatures, and will often persist in

•doing what they are expected and wished net to do.


You must not attempt to examine the nests, or interfere with

them in any way, and if you can restrain yourself from undue

curiosity the eggs will generally be hatched, but unfortunately it

does not follow that all the young, or indeed, any of them, will



