FOREIGN FINCHES IN CONFINEMENT. k 253 



notably the Parson-finch, Poephila fasciata, and the Ribbon-finch, 

 Amadina fasciata, the former being more than a match for the 

 latter; for I had a hen Ribbon-finch killed by a cock Parson- 

 finch two or three years ago. Yet individual males of P. fasciata 

 have lived with other small finches for many years on amicable 

 terms, only proving dangerous from the fact that they will pair 

 with any of the tiny Grass-finches, not a few of which con- 

 sequently die through egg-binding. 



With nine good-sized aviaries at my disposal, I find no little 

 difficulty in so sorting out my many birds as to avoid risk to life 

 and limb, and I find the best plan is to mix the various Orders 

 as much as possible. Thus in one aviary I keep the larger Doves, 

 some Chinese Quails, a Yellow Wagtail, a Stonechat, a Paradise 

 Why d ah, 'a Canary or two, and a pair of Parson-finches; the 

 Doves quarrel a little, but otherwise everything goes on smoothly. 

 In another aviary I keep many small finches, both British and 

 foreign, two pairs of Diamond Doves, a Redstart, and a Garden 

 Warbler; and so on. 



It has been stated that insectivorous birds and seed-eaters 

 should not be kept together; but, when we consider that most 

 finches are insectivorous, and most of our British insectivorous 

 birds thrive on a partial seed diet, the objection ceases to have 

 any weight. I have seen the American Blue-bird, the English 

 Starling, the Robin, Redstart, and many other insectivorous birds 

 swallow quantities of seed, and benefit greatly in consequence. 

 When finches are breeding, soft food in the aviary becomes a 

 necessity for most of them, and the pan put in for the insecti- 

 vorous birds is largely resorted to. I have reared many broods 

 of Java Sparrows, Saffron-finches, Zebra-finches, Ribbon-finches, 

 and even a Rosa's Parrakeet, all of which were fed by their 

 parents upon regurgitated food put into the aviaries for my 

 insectivorous birds. 



