The Diamond Finch. 
79 
ener.^etic in so showing liiniself off to his mate, and during" th^» 
l)ree(ling season is (juite an amusing and entertaining little 
fellow. 
Mostly they prefer an artificial nesting site, their choice 
usually falling upon a llartz travelling case, when such is avail- 
able, almost filling same with grass bents, feathers, etc. On 
one occasion a nest was constructed in a bush in my aviary; true 
it was a sphere, but with so many of the ends of the grass sterna, 
of which it was formed, extending out like quills, or drooping 
downwards, that, at first sight, it appeared almost shapeless 
externally, looking like a mere untidy mass of dry grass; the 
entrance was only slightly extended — the hen would seldom, if 
ever, allow the cock in the nest, or if he managed to dart in he 
was quickly hustled out again; so much of this went on that I 
feared there could be no result, but in spite of my fears three 
strong young birds eventually left the nest. The young weie 
reared mainly on seed (Canary, Indian and white millet) and 
green fcod, though the parent birds did capture a few flies and 
other insects in the aviary; owing to the presence of several Soft- 
bills it was very rarely they managed to secure a mealworm. 
Both sexes share the duties of incubation — period 12-13 
days--young leave the nest when about a month old. In tho 
nestling plumage the underparts are greyish white, sides darp 
grey and without any spots ; upper parts lightish brown, with a 
patch of red on the rump. The passing to full colour is gradual; 
spots first appear on the sides, the black band across the chest 
and along the sides begins to appear, and the underparts slowly 
become more white, and the red on the rump becomes more in- 
tense; red begins to appear at the base of the mandibles, and 
gradually the full rich colour of the adult bird is reached. 
Its brilliant and pleasing appearance, interesting and 
attractive demeanour, though there are periods of listlessness, 
quaint love dance, and other alluring attributes certainly con- 
stitute them most desirable inmates for the mixed aviary. 
