THE



Avicultural Magazine


THE JOURNAL OF THE

AVICULTURAL SOCIETY



Fourth Series. —Vol. XII.—No. 9 .—All rights reserved . SEPTEMBER, 1934.



THE DIAMOND SPARROW


(Steganopleura guttata )


This beautiful Finch occurs on the coastal regions of Southern

Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and the south-east of South

Australia. It is a favourite with aviculturists, being extremely

beautiful, easily kept, and occasionally a good breeder, though in

this respect individuals differ greatly, some refusing to breed at all.

These birds become extremely tame, and as a rule agree well with

other occupants of an aviary, though here again individuals differ,

some proving spiteful towards any weaker bird.


As the sexes of the Diamond Sparrow are, to all intents and

purposes, alike, it is difficult to be sure when one has a true pair.

The male is generally slightly larger than the female, has a broader

band on the chest, and blacker lores; but given these supposed

distinctions, it is none too easy to be sure of selecting a true pair.


It builds its nest of grass, lining the inside with finer grasses and

feathers, in any convenient situation, such as a box, basket, or

small travelling cage hung on the wall of the aviary. Of its wild

life Neville Cayley gives the following interesting account: “ Like

many other species of Finches, the Diamond Sparrow is very sociable

in habits, breeding freely about houses and gardens, and visiting

the same nesting-trees season after season, if unmolested. Its large

bottle-shaped nests are to be found in a great variety of situations,



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