110 Birds I Have Kept. 



Queensland, whence vast numbers are annually imported into 

 Europe and America, without, as yet, producing any apparent 

 diminution in their numbers in their native land. 



When wild these little birds make a large grass nest, lined 

 with feathers, in the hole of a tree, or even in a bush, for 

 they are not at all particular as to the site of the birthplace 

 of their future brood; though, on the whole, they evince an 

 evident desire to save themselves the trouble of building a 

 dome over their nest, by placing it in a hollow branch, or 

 some suitable crevice. In the aviary they never build in a 

 bush if a cocoa-nut husk, or a small box has been placed 

 at their disposal. The eggs are from three to seven in number, 

 quite white, and about the same size as those of a European 

 "Wren: the young are hatched in about twelve days, and 

 there is little doubt are, in their wild state, fed upon small 

 insects: in captivity, however, I have known them to be very 

 successfully reared on seed, sopped bread, and yolk of egg; 

 though, as there were many other kinds of birds in the aviary, 

 I cannot positively affirm that the Zebras made use of the 

 hitler, but I suspect they did, as they are certainly insec- 

 tivorous during the breeding season, like our Sparrows, and 

 some other birds. 



I have not tried to breed Zebra Finches in a cage; but 

 other connoisseurs have, and have had fair success; one 

 gentleman in particular having obtained several broods from 

 a pair of these birds caged in his nursery, where, to use his 

 own words, "there was always plenty of noise and ball- 

 throwing." 



In their native country these birds usually produce but 

 two broods in the year; but in the house, over here, they 

 breed all the year round, summer and winter alike, stopping 

 for a short time sometimes when moulting. In an out-door 

 aviary, where the temperature is not raised fo'r their especial 

 benefit, they generally adhere to the two broods in the season, 

 which is, I have said, their custom in their native woods. 



