The Endurance of Birds. 
Many years ago I kept this and other British species in 
roomy cages, small aviaries, and a little later in larger ones, but 
have not kept the species for twelve years or more. I successfully 
bred them under all the above mentioned conditions — at first 
there were many failures, and success was only finally obtained 
by supplying them with fresh wild seeds, buds, and unlimited 
greenfood — by fresh wild seed I mean gathering stems 
of the weeds in seed, tying them in bunches and hanging them 
up in any convenient position. Greenfood was also gathered so 
that the various kinds had flow'er buds, flowers and seeds, and 
was supplied fresh thrice daily. After this stage was reached 
my three pairs bred freely, and without other trouble reared 
most of the young" hatched out. 
'I'lie chief difficulty with this beautiful species is its fond- 
ness for buds, and unless large bunches of twiggy branches are 
kept continuously in the aviary, deciduous trees and bushes 
planted therein have a very short life, and even with the above 
precaution such bushes do not flourish, but merely exist — com- 
mon laurel, Portugal laurel, aucuba and spruce fir resist their 
attacks as well as any. 
This beautiful species is hardy, providing the shelter 
attached to the aviary is dry and draught-proof, and the aviary 
large enough to allow of reasonable exercise. 
BiciiENo's Finch (Stietoptera hiehenovii) . I have written 
of this species recently, I'ide Bntn Notes, December, 1917, page 
J53, and nntst refer my readers thereto. It cannot be called a 
robust species, but in a dry locality (gravel district) it can be 
wintered out of doors. Hens are very subject to " egg bind- 
ing," especially during a wet cool summer. They will pass the 
winter comfortably in an uidieated, well ventilated birdroom. 
Bib Finch (Spcrmestes nana)- This is a charming" and 
diminutive species, very little, if any, larger than an avadavat. 
Hardv. but if the locality is a damp one, with wet retentive soil, 
it had better be taken into the birdroom for the winter months 
but if this convenience be not available, the majority will survive 
out of doors, even in a damp locality, but every efifort should be 
made to prevent early nesting under such conditions. 
