A Rctrosl'cct. 
203 
you what he will be like in a month or two's time when he passes 
into eclipse plumage. 
Perhaps the favourite of all visitors, and most avicultur- 
ists too, is the exquisitely plumaged Cordon Bleu, which is not 
nearly so delicate as is commonly supposed, although it can 
never be designated as really robust; still, it does not mind cold 
weatuer so much as draught, the ctu^se of all life, whether bird or 
human. 
Another, so-called, delicate bird is the Pin-tailcd 
Nonpareil. I gave mine paddy rice as instructed in all bird 
books, and they certainly ate it, but they took other foods too. 
I used to go to the bird-shops and pick out my own pairs and 
found them quite easy to acclimatise. 
The bird I like least of all, in fact I disliked it, was the 
Combasou for a few months each year, when in breeding'' 
plumage, but not nearly so nice as the Jacarini Finch. I also 
accuse the Combasou of being dull, lethargic and stupid. The 
little Silverbill is a nicer bird, active and alert, in fact he is 
everywhere ; it bred freely with m.e — at one time they bred faster 
than I could sell them, and, like the Red-headed Finches, became 
a nuisance. Really a good bird for a beginner who needs 
encouragement. 
The Diamond Dove is the very nicest of all the dove-tribe 
■ — minute, for a dove, and really beautiful, and its coo is not too 
mournful. They always breed and can be relied on. They 
possess beauty and grace, and are a real acquisition in any 
aviary. 
As for the Java Sparrow — the White variety is supposed 
to breed freely; mine did not even try, and I had a true pair I 
am sure. 
My present avicultural interests are divided between four 
nestfuls of blue-bred Green Budgerigars, who, if they do not 
fly soon will fall out through being too crowded, and my first 
pullet to start laying this year — she started seventeen days ago. 
May they all do as well. 
