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they wasted away during the moult—they seldom showed

themselves, hiding away when anyone was about. I consider

them unsuited to aviary life, and as uninteresting under such

conditions as it is possible for birds to be, and have certainly no

desire to possess others.


Greenfinches have not bred with me—though quite a

number of eggs were laid—but with so much company I do

not think open nest builders likely to succeed, they pull one

another’s nests to pieces so, almost as soon as built. I have

found them quite inoffensive and pleasing occupants of my

aviary.


Chaffinches are charming, both as regards song, hardiness,

and vivacity. I have six or seven ; their colours, if not brilliant,

are so beautifully blended one with the other as to make the

effedt altogether pleasing ; and with their sprightliness under all

conditions, I should not care to be without them—they are

singing grandly now.


Bullfinches have not bred with me—my cock died suddenly

and without any apparent cause when they were preparing to

build, and when I procured another it was too late in the season;

they have now just commenced building, and I am hoping for

success this time—these, with their bright colours and affedtion

one for the other, if not gifted with a natural song, are charming

inmates of my aviary ; they enjoy a branch of willow, poplar, or

fruit tree for green food.


Java Sparrows, procured last July, did not breed, but

were full of life and activity, keeping themselves in beautiful

trim under all conditions ; they built this year and then went

into moult, but are now building again ; these are difficult to sex,

but thanks to the kind courteous information of Dr. A. G.

Butler, it is now comparatively easy. He showed me by living

specimens the details given in his article in the Magazine awhile

ago.


Ribbon Finches, obtained in July, nested in August,

and hatched out three young early in September, when the cock

died, being apparently quite healthy, and in the midst of the

above-named company. The hen successfully brought them up,

feeding them while in the nest exclusively on dried ants’ eggs;

after they flew (and I watched closely) I never observed her

give them anything but millet, and fine strong young ones they

were, one cock and two hens, and I have them now, in the very

pink of condition. These birds have not been quarrelsome at

all, in fadt quite inoffensive.



