T!ic Endurance of Rirds. 
273 
The female has less red alxnit tlie liead than the male, 
thoui^'h occasionally hens tnrn up which even an " old hand 
will take for males. 
It can liardly be called a free breeder, yet it has been 
snccessfuUv bred in se\'eral aviaries, bnt is somewhat erratic in 
this resjiect. 
It h;is successfully reared young on two occasions in my 
aviaries. 
It is a native of Australia. 
Lavknoer Ftn'cii f I.agonosficia cacrulcsccns ) . An 
exf|uisite African species, and a freely imported one in normal 
times. 
.So far as I am aware this species has only once been bred 
in this country, our member Aliss R. Alderson achieviuL;' this 
distinction. 
It is not a loni;-lived species, and as diflicult to acclimatise 
as the Firefinch and Cordon Bleu: and similar care with new 
arrivals is necessary durin:,;" the first few weeks following' 
importation. 
In Itaster 1914 I saw, in Surrey aviary of only moderate 
size but well sheltered, several Lavender Finches, which had 
been out of doors all the year round for at least three years 
which were the finest specimens in every respect that I had ever 
seen. 
Still, a species of such beauty is worth taking" trouble with 
to get it acclimatised, and also caring for well afterwards in 
the way of sufficient snug shelter during inclement winter. On 
clayey or any wet retentive soils no attempt should be made 
to winter it out of doors. 
To he continued . 
