H. Jones—-Notes on the Breeding of the Zebra Finch 171


a piece of cardboard. These boxes have the advantage that, if they

are dirty, they can be destroyed and the local shoe-shop is only too

glad to replace them. 7 lb. paint tins, with a 2 in. square opening

cut in the side make good nests to hang from the roof, but if used

should be plentifully punched with holes for ventilation, otherwise

they sweat a lot. If the trade-made boxes are used, it is advisable

to make the entrance bigger, as I have seen the cock leave so much

hay hanging out that he and his wife have difficulty in entering. It is

essential to have more nests than pairs of birds, because the old birds

always take the youngsters to another nest when they leave the old

nest. This gives one the opportunity to clean the old nest or destroy

it, if too dirty. I always spray the nest-boxes with paraffin, as well

as the hooks and nails they are hung from. For nesting material I take

millet sprays after the birds have done with them, cutting them into

lengths 7 inches or so in length, leaving about 2 inches of the seeding

end on. Then, with a penknife, I slice these into very thin lengths.

The birds like this better than grass, as it is stiffer and they can weave

a very neat nest with it. I place a little hay at the bottom of the box

to form a foundation. I also spray this with paraffin. For a nest

lining I cut up wool into 1 in. lengths, and supply a little hair, etc.,

from packets of canary nesting material. If this is sprayed with

paraffin it has a wonderful and cleanly effect on the young birds’

plumage. A full nest of young birds can so soil a nest that their tail-

feathers are useless when they leave the nest and they are consequently

prevented from flying properly and their growth retarded at the most

important time. I find the nesting birds only like to line their nests

just before the young hatch. I am also convinced that it is fatal to

leave a lot of nesting material lying about the aviary. It tempts the

cock to start making another nest.


General .—King all the young birds. I use coloured celluloid

canary rings, of which there are some twenty colours. To further

prevent in-breeding, buy or exchange a few cocks from some other

breeder, or buy an imported hen or two. Very few imported cocks

settle down to breeding in an aviary. Beware of cocks who will not

build nests for their hens. They never take the matter seriously.

Also cocks who build nests for their own use are never good breeders.



