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becomes gradually broader. The production of a brood takes

four weeks. Each pair yearly produces from three to as many as

seven broods.”


The eggs appear to vary somewhat in colour and markings,,

but are usually white with a faint bluish tint, and are thickly

spotted with fine reddish brown marks. They are five-eights of

an inch in length.


Mr. Wiener calls Cuba Finches “quarrelsome little birds”

and “veritable fighting cocks.” Dr. Russ says: “Disposition

showing great likeness to that of the Astrilds. Not spiteful, but

in the immediate vicinity of the nest very snappish towards

larger birds.” Both Russ and Wiener state that the young must

be removed as soon as their parents build again, otherwise there

is a risk of their being killed by the male bird. Perhaps when

breeding the Cuba Finch may be rather short tempered. When

I possessed a pair I always kept them by themselves, but my

solitary male bird has lived for more than a year in a mixed

aviary with Waxbills and other small birds, and always behaves

in a most amiable manner to all his companions. At one time

he struck up a close friendship with a hen Dufresne’s Waxbill,

and the pair were constantly to be seen sitting side by side,

preening each others’ heads. When kept in pairs these little

birds show much affedtion for one another.


The favourite food of the Cuba Finch is spray millet, and

on either this or Indian millet, with white millet, he will live

long and happily. He is fond of mealworms, but is much better

without them. A little egg occasionally, for a treat, does him

good and is much appreciated. In summer-time let him have

plenty of green food and a turf. Egg and soaked ants’ eggs

would probably suffice for the rearing of the young, and the

parents should be accustomed to this food before hatching.


Considering its diminutive size, the Cuba Finch is by no

means sensitive to cold.


The Cuba Finch has a variety of English names: that of

Melodious Finch has already been mentioned, Cuban Finch is

another. Some old writers give it the curious name of Brown¬

cheeked Grosbeak, and it will be found under that name in

Bechstein.


This bird is a native of Cuba.


(To be co?itinue(T ).



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