Miscellaneous F.vf'criciiccs of Outdoor Az'iculturc. 89 
The Cockateels should be introduced the second year, 
then they seldom do any mischief ; mine have never done any. 
Green Singing Finches and Pekin Robins are inveterate 
egg eaters, unless the aviary be \ ery large: otherwise they are 
handsome and charming birds. 
Now I can almost hear someone saying, What about 
tragedies! ! Well I have never had any; not a single death 
which I could attribute to violence, excepting when I first turned 
tlie Cockateels in. No sooner had the larger finches got over 
the scare caused by the introduction of large birds into their 
midst, than they set to work to mob them, and a Saffron and 
Greenfinch were mortally wounded in the scrimmage. The next 
day there was a declaration of peace, which has not been broken 
since, though three years have run their course. 
Favourites : Well I suppose we ought not to have any, 
as aviculturists ; however this may be, there are some that by 
^h'^\\■ artless and confiiding ways insinuate themselves into a 
first place in our affections. At the head of these, with me, stand 
the beautiful little Zebra Waxbills. with their taking ways, funny 
little love dance, fearless, happy and confiding demeanour imder 
all circumstances, coupled with their extreme hardiness and 
longevity. These qualities give them the first place with me. 
Silverbills : These are very pretty and entertaining birds, 
of quiet dainty appearance, having a soft, sweet running sort of 
song, quaint, ridiculous (from our standpoint) courting of the 
male, whilst their trustful and confiding" demeanour cause 
tliem. T think, to win their way with all. 
I have been surprised to find these described as exclusive 
seed eaters, and as never, or scarcely ever, touching green-food 
Aline certainly eat mealworms, gentles and ants' cocoons, and 
also visit the soft food saucer, picking out some dainty tit-bit 
They also regularly eat a little greenfood, and eagerly search 
it over for aphides, of which they appear to be very fond. This 
causes me to infer that, in common with all finches, they largely 
rear their yoimg on insect food. 
Wliile, speaking in general, Waxbills, for obvious 
reasons, most readily win their way with us, I must confess to 
