Endurance of Birds. 
169 
The Endurance of Birds. 
By Wesley T. Page, F.Z.S., etc. 
(Continued from page 132). 
Jacarini Finch (Volatinia jacarini). This charming 
species is very hardy, but on wet clay soils it is best taken 
indoors during a really wet winter. The male has a refulgent 
garment of blue-black relieved with a pure white patch on each 
shoulder. The hen is earthy-brown, striated with darker brown, 
after the pattern of a linnet. In a roomy aviary they are taking 
birds indeed, full of vivacity and energy, frequently " in the 
picture." darting in and out of leafy cover, perching moment- 
arily on tlie end of some twiggy branch, then darting off after 
some passing fly; they are very excitable, yet amiable birds, and 
most entertaining whatever the conditions they are viewed 
under. 
The nest is usually placed low down, at the foot of a 
bush if there be tall grass growing there, if not one to two feet 
above the ground. ( )nce a bush is decided u]ion as a site for 
the nest the male will allow no other bird to rest in the lower 
part of the Inish but savagely drives off all comers, even though 
they be twice his size. At this time they become very secretive 
in their movements and reach the nest by a roundabout wa) . 
sneaking thereto through the undergrowth. If a plentiful sup- 
ply of insects can be maintained any young hatched out are 
usually reared, and if the aviary be natural and roomy they 
will forage for insects from morning till night, needing only a 
few mealworms, gentles, or live ants' cocoons to ensure the 
successful rearing of the young. 
When not feeding young they will do perfectly well on 
canary and white millet, greenfood. and an occasional insect. 
The greatest obstacle to the breeding of this interesting 
species is the paucity of females, as but few of these are 
imported. In these war times with the cessation of importation 
of live birds, but few of these interesting birds are to be found 
in English aviaries, and I much doubt if a single female 
remains alive. 
