The Endurance of Birds. 
The Endurance of Birds. 
By Wesley T. Page, F.Z.S., etc. 
(Cont 'umcd from page iij) 
Diamond Finch ( Stcgaiioplciira guttata). An article 
Iroin my pen appeared in J3.N. for April, 1918 and further re- 
mark is uncalled for. 1 may, perhaps, place on record here that 
the si)ecies is an irres^nlar breeder, i.e., fairly prolific in some 
few aviaries and very unsatisfactory in others, thou.^h mostly 
an indefatis.^able nester, but rearing- few, if any, young". It is a 
native of Australia. 
(jouLDiAN FiNC[i ( I'ocpliila goiildicc). This beautiful and 
favourite species has also been fully dealt with in recent vohmies 
of B.N., and only bare conmient is called for. 
On dry gravel soils this species is quite hardy, buJ; on 
heavy, marly soils it is best taken indoors from the end of 
October ,and not turned out again till about the ist of May. 
Some pairs are really prolitic, but in the majority of cases 
successes arc confined to the rearing" of occasional odd birds, 
or a pair that bred freely one season, rears nothing" the next. 
An unlimited supply of millet in the ear, and fresh heads of seed- 
ing grass are the items of diet most conducive to success. 
Once the critical period of acclimatisation is passed it is 
quite hardy, except on wet, retentiA'e soils. 
Grey Singing-Finch (Seriiius IcucopygiKS ) . An attract- 
ive and pretty though plainly clad species. 
It is a native of Africa and has been known to aviculture 
for a very long period; it is a very sweet songster. 
This is a free breeding species, and in a roomy, naturally 
planted aviary, extra foods when rearing young are not neces- 
sary, as, under such conditions it will ca])ture what live food is 
necessary for the rearing of its young. 1 must, however, add 
that where the accommodation of the aviary is fully occupied 
it is wise to supply live insects in variety, and to keep a tin of 
insectile mixture (soft-food) in the aviary when young" are being 
fed. 
It readily crosses with the Green Singing-finch, and many 
