204 Aviary Notes and 1912 Breeding Results. 
Nesting Notks: In the first aviary I fstarted this year 
with: Three coek (one Reel-head) and six hen (two Red-head) 
Gouldian Finches; two coek and one hen Ruficauda Finches; 
pairs each of Parson Finches; Masked and Long-tailed Grass- 
finches. So far we have only lost two hens, Black -headed 
Gouldian and Ruficauda Finches. The following young are 
now on the wing, and mostly fending for themselves: Three 
Long-tailed Grassfluches, twelve Gouldian Finches from three 
pairs, and two pairs are again engaged ^n the duties of in- 
cubation. 
The Parson Finches have built two nests, but have 
not, so far as I know, got as far as eggs yet; though the 
hen is now sitting very tight, on something or nothing! 
The Masked Grassfinclies have as is generally the case 
merely played at nest building. We have never before been 
able to keep Gouldians alive for more than two months, but 
this year I think we have done very well, and I am of the 
opinion that this is due partly to the excellent condition in 
which they were brought over, but chiefly to the use of boiled 
water. I now consider either this or rainwater to be almost 
a necessity, since they have all done so much better on it. 
It was recommended to us by the dealer from whom we got 
them, and I believe that it is one of the things practically 
necessary for the keeping of Gouldians in perfect health and 
condition, since the lime in the liquid state seems to upset them 
terribly. They have soft food, bread and milk (which they 
hardly touch), live ants' eggs, canary and millet, and the boiled 
water; also cuttle-fish bone, ground oyster grit and flowering 
grass. 
In the front half of ,the second aviary are the Grenadier 
Weavers, and in the back part are a pair of Canaries, whose 
nest I cannot discover; one pair of Blue-winged Sivas tSiva 
cyanopteura) recently brought over by Mr. Frost, are in 
very poor feather, though they have and are still improving 
wonderfully, and I have reason to hope and believe that 
they are a true pair,though at present I cannot be sure, 
as they are young birds; and lastly a pair of Silver-eared 
Mcsias {Mesia argentaiiris), which have made two good attempts 
at rearing young this year, failing on both occasions, though 
coming very near to success; they are now incubating their 
