196 BIRDS 



The Mannikins and Grassfinches are larger, stouter 

 birds than the Waxbills, and as a rule have heavier beaks. 

 The same general rules for care and treatment apply to 

 both groups, but the present birds average much hardier 

 than the more delicate Waxbills. 



The Bronze Mannikin (Spermestes cucullata) is one 

 of the smallest of the group. It is brown above, blacker 

 on the head, but fading to white, with dark bars on the 

 lower back. The wings and tail are blackish and there is 

 a metallic green band on the wing coverts. The cheeks, 

 throat and chest are bronzy, and the abdomen is white, 

 barred at the side with black. The female is usually 

 smaller and duller. This is a long-lived and even-tempered 

 bird, but frequently is addicted to feather-plucking. 



The Magpie Mannikin (Amauresthes fringilloides) is 

 very similar to the preceding, differing in a few minor 

 points of color. It is almost twice as large, however, and 

 has a much heavier beak. Both species are African. Some 

 individual Magpie Mannikins are pugnacious and are un- 

 safe with small Waxbills, etc. 



The CuT-THROAT Finch (Amadina fasciatd) is a well- 

 known and popular cage bird. It is of a brownish cast, the 

 feathers barred with black. There are a few white spots 

 on the lower breast and abdomen. The cock is distin- 

 guished by a red band across the throat. The name has 

 a bloodthirsty sound, which is not entirely deserved, al- 

 though the bird is not really safe with smaller species. 



The Red-headed Finch {Amadina erythrocephala) is 

 known to American dealers as the " Amadine Finch." It 

 is a larger bird than the preceding, and, like it, comes from 

 Africa. It is brown above and paler below, where the 

 feathers have darker bars. The male has the head dark 

 red, which distinguishes him from his mate. 



The Diamond or Spotted-sided Finch (Steganopleura 



