Nr.sthig Pe.sulf.s al Lodf/c Aviaries. 
U7 
in a cockney dialect about " them bi^-- 'ousos being draughty 
and un'calthy." They ])ush oil' until they find some meek and 
mild householder, and, after casting a covetous eye on the 
plush curtains and Turkey carpets of the house dei-ide that this 
is the very house for tliem. Should the owner be away and 
return somewhat suddenly our friends modify their tafcticis 
according to the bloodthirstiness of the rightful owner. If he 
bo overstrong they decide on anotliei' or unfurnished liouoc; if 
he be weak they pour out their views on Socialism. Having' 
made up their minds at length (that is, after upsetting every 
other occupant of the aviary) they proceed to live up to their 
reputation as plebeians by raising large families, which the^ 
are apt to desert and leave on the rates. Our friend is nothing 
if not a moonlight -Hittei', and never pays his Avay. Still if 
one has a sense of humour one will also keep Zebra Finche.s. 
They ai"e very droll in their manners and customs, and very 
prolific. But their little lives are none too long. I suspect 
they have some secret vice. At any rate they die off in quite 
an unaccountable way. If it were not so we would soon have 
hundreds in a good sized aviary. I Avon't waste time, ink and 
paper describing them, tlieir eggs, or young. The nest in the 
illustration was very cleverly builf, and most of the material 
used Ava.; very heavy for so small a bird. This pair of Zebras 
ahvays preferred to build their oavii nest, which in my experi- 
ence is peculia]'. The uest Avas very strong and beautifully 
constructed, but young Avere not reai'ed in it. I have noticed 
in Zebra Finches that there is always an enormous prepon- 
derance of cocks in an aviary. The hens die off rather freely 
and more cocks are reared than hens. This year, 1915, there 
has been a very great dearth of hens. Why, I can't say. I 
noAV pass on to the ne.\t species, viz.: 
Magpie Mannikiks: Very fcAv remarks Avill sufiice for 
these. They ai'c certainly handsome in their black and Avhite 
coats, but like people Avho ahvays Avear black and Avhite most 
uninteresting. They are simply poor relations of the Grass - 
finches and multiply accordingly. I have found them quite 
inoffensive and deadly dull. They are very Avild and never 
get to knoAv you, but flee before your face the moment you 
enter the aviary. They make good and devoted parents and 
generally nest high up. They have no character good or bad. 
