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Mrs. Christine Irvine—Breeding Firefinches



condition and perfectly tame. These birds were considerably larger

than any imported ones I have seen. The British Museum Catalogue

gives the length as 24 inches. The tails of these birds measured over

20 inches, so it will be seen that they are much larger than the average

bird.


Few birds are more active and restless than these large Magpies

being continually on the move, and for that reason it is a pity to confine

them to a small space. These handsome creatures have all the traits

of their smaller English cousins, cunning, alert, inquisitive, and with

the eye always on the main chance, very little in the way of food

escapes their eyes. They are fond of bathing and keep their wonderful

plumage in perfect condition.


A pair of these fine birds in an outdoor aviary planted with natural

trees and bushes never fail to attract the admiration of every visitor.


I have never found the birds aggressive to birds of their own size,

but they will not hesitate to kill and eat any small bird which they can

get hold of.


Owing to their noisiness it is a mistake to keep the birds too close to

the house as I know to my cost for when the birds spy a passing cat

or dog the noise they make is enough to waken the dead and not only

that but all the other Pies and Jays join in. That noise heard at 4 a.m.

on a summer’s morning is not conducive to put one in a good temper

for the rest of the day, and often one’s neighbours have something

to say as well!


(To be continued.)



BREEDING FIREFINCHES


By Mrs. Christine Irvine


Your note asking members to send their experiences however

simple has made me feel that perhaps a small success of mine may

be of interest to some of the members with small aviaries. Mine, as

you know, is only a converted bedroom, but I have been lucky enough

to get my Firefinches to breed and bring up one youngster. The

hen came to me in December, she was newly imported and felt the cold



