58


less distinct. A pair of these have now mated, and are building a nest, but

according to all rules the eggs should not be fertile.


Parson Finches. — As usual, my pair has nested repeatedly all through

the season, but never hatched out. I have had this pair for three years,

and they have never got beyond eggs, though an undoubted pair.


Cherry Finches.— Nested twice with no result.


Red-crested Cardinal. — Two nests and three j'oung in each, wliicli

were thrown out and killed before they were a fortnight old. The old birds

have a constant supply of cockroaches and a good many caterpillars, but

very few mealworms,


Green Cardinal. — One nest, and three eggs which were not hatched.


Magpie Mannikiu. — Their first nest was filled with eggs which were

constantly incubated, either the cock or the hen being alwaj's on the nest,

but never hatched. Several nests have been built since, and immediately

pulled to pieces again, and no eggs laid.


I have noticed an egg dropped occasionally in my Weaver aviary, but

none of the occupants have ever made any serious attempt to nest.


R. A. Todd.



TANAGERS, RUFOUS-TAIIvED GRASSFINCHES, AND

DUFRESNE'S WAXBILLS.


Sir, — As Tanagers are usually considered rather difficult birds to

keep, perhaps my experience ma\^ be of some interest. Even Dr. Russ, in

Vols. I. and II. of his great work, " Die Fremdlandischen Stubenvogel,"

does not speak favourably of these birds in an}' i-espedt, except their beauty.

I had, therefore, never contemplated the possibilit}' of keeping a Tanager,

though I had often admired their brilliant appearance in Dr. Russ' books.

However, on seeing several species mentioned in Mr. Abrahams' list last

October, I wrote to enquire about them, and bv his advice I selected a

Superb Tanager {CalListe fastuosa). I received a beautiful specimen in

perfect plumage, and put him at once in my aviary-cage with about thirty-

six small Waxbills, Finches, Weavers, Mannikins and a pair of Gre3'-backed

Australian Spectacle Birds (Zosterops lateralis). Mr. Abrahams told me the

Tanager would eat the same food as the Spectacle Birds, i.e., preserved 3'olk

of egg mixed with potato finely grated, Mr. Abrahams' Insectivorous Food,

and ripe fruit. I give the Tanager three or four mealworms daily, which I

drop into his food-tin to ensure his securing them, as he does not appear

to like the floor of the cage. He was rather shy at first, but now watches me

so closely during the process that I think he will soon take them from my

hand.


Dr. Russ describes this bird as being dull and voracious. The speci-

men in ni}' possession is always lively, and certainly does not eat more than

his companions. My cage is cleaned daily, but I do not find that the

Tanager necessitates any extra trouble in that line, and he is quite peace-

able with the other birds, suffering a tiny Orange-cheek Waxbill to snatch

away a mealworm before his ej'es. On the whole, he prefers the egg and

potato to the insectivorous food : tinlike my Shama, who refuses to touch

anything else (except mealworms) ; and, during the three years I have had

him, he has thriven and sung splendidly on that food alone.


I quite agree with Mr. Todd about the peaceable disposition of the

Rufous-tailed Grassfinch {Bathilda riificaiuia). I bought a pair nearly two



