70



Mr. W. Teschemaker,



laid in a rush basket rather high up in the aviary so that one

could see nothing till the youngsters appeared.



November iStli.—Since writing the above the young Pec¬

toral Finches have altered a little. They are now fine big birds,

and four show a good deal of the pretty mottling on the breast

like the adult bird. In the case of the youngsters, the black is

more apparent than the white, that is to say they all look like

hens, but owing probably to lack of heat the feathers grow very

slowly. The youngest must, I think, have something akin to

rickets, for he is still on the floor, and makes no progress at all.



THE BREEDING OF THE GREEN AVADAVAT.


By W. E. Teschemaker.


In June, 1904, I added to my aviaries a small one for

Avadavats and Waxbills, and on the 30th day of that month I

turned out four Green Avadavats. I have a note in my log book

that two of. them at once commenced to sing. As the song of

this species is so very seldom heard in captivity, it may be worth

while to remark that it consists of some preliminary notes, which

are practically inaudible, and concludes with a prolonged trill,,

which is often quite loud.


Although this species is, I think, quite hardy when once

acclimatised, it seems to arrive in this country in poor condition

generally; I soon lost two of my birds, and another pair,

subsequently introduced, only lived till October. The remaining

pair, however, did well and took possession of a nest box which

they defended with much spirit against all comers.


Towards the end of the year they laid and sat with remark¬

able patience—but no result—for a whole month.


It was not until April, 1905, that they went to nest again,

and on the 22nd of that month I examined their nest and found

one egg which, although addled, had originally contained a

fertile embryo. This made me more hopeful of ultimately

breeding the species, especially as in the meantime I had

obtained seven younger birds in immature plumage.



