Tlic Secret oj Keepliifj (Joiihlian Finches. 14'.) 
The Secret of Keeping Gouldian Finches. 
What is it? 
By R. vS. 1)1.; q. (^)uinct.;v. 
(.Juuliliaii FiiR'lu's serin to be the cause of mueli vexa- 
tion to bii'd-lovers on account of their iinfoi'tuiiate habit of 
(lying oir witliout apparent reaisou or warniuy, l)ut, I do not 
really think that Ciouhlians are delicate if treated in the proper 
way and given the proper accommodation. 
The (luestiou is what is the proper treatment? Un- 
fortunately no one knows for certain; but, as for the pant two 
seasons 1 have been successful above the average with these 
beautiful birds, 1 think it is only right that I should let 
others know uiy treatment, which may, for all I know, be a 
solution of the problem. 
To start with I will say a little about how I used to 
keep Gouldians. I commenced with three pairs (two paii's 
Black-headed and one pair Red-headed), which I kept in an 
outdoor aviary, the flight of which was 18 x 9 feet with a 
shelter 9 x ih feet. This shelter was very exposed and the 
aviary faced east. The flight was turfed, and had one small 
rhododendron bush in it, besides bundles of pea-sticks. They 
made no attempt to nest, but sat in the shade of the large 
leaves of the bush when it was hot. From this I gathered 
my first point: Gouldians need natural shade in the form of 
leaves, and large leaved evergreens appear to me to be the 
best. But all these, except the Red-headed hen, which was 
killed by a Saffron Finch died in November from fogs, and 
con.sequent lung trouble. They needed more shelter, not to 
be shut up in, Ixit to which they could resort at will. Their 
diet was canary seed and water— this was in 1907. 
In 1910 I procured two pairs of the Black-headed 
variety, which were diseased when I got them, and only lived 
a short time; they were kept in a coach-house that had been 
converted into an aviary. However, they did not, I feel sure, 
get sufllicient exercise. Here come, therefore, two more points: 
Fir.stly, they need heaps of space in which to take exercise 
if kept in a cold aviary, for I do not keep birds in cages 
unless it is absolutely necessary, even in winter; and secondly, 
despite what others say, I firmly believe in a flock, for these, 
