92



Correspondence



and throws them over on to the floor, and then stands peeping down to see

where they have dropped. No matter how often you pick them up and put

them on the table Master Joey will throw them overboard again.


This bird will go anywhere about the house on my wife’s shoulder, though

she has to be careful to take off her necklace and ear-rings, for Joey has more

than once broken a pearl necklace ; he is as quick as lightning and most

inquisitive about anything fresh.


He is a French-moult bird and though fully feathered drops his flights

and tail feathers ; this is probably why he is so very tame, for he can only

fly a very little, but as a pet I am inclined to think this is an advantage; to

see him running about playing on the table at times is exceedingly funny.

Anyhow, we are very fond of him and would not like to part with him.


As a pet and talking Budgie I think he must be hard to beat.


Last year I was successful in breeding 2 Red Rosellas, 5 Ringneeks,

5 Cockatiels, and considerably over 100 Budgerigars in all colours ; these

were all bred outdoors, in garden aviaries.


H. P. Sissons.


It is not only “ French-moult ” Budgerigars that become extremely

tame. We have known several perfect specimens that were quite as tame

as this.—E d.



CRIMSON FINCHES


I note in the November issue of the Magazine that Mr. Andrew R. Hynd

asks if it is possible to sex young Crimson Finches, and as I breed them

regularly I thought perhaps I could help.


The youngsters on leaving the nest are dark brown in colour, lighter

underneath, with a little dull red on the lower back and above the tail. The

bill is black and in many respects they resemble young Zebra Finches. (They

have no red face as in the adult female, nor do they resemble her very closely

in any other respect.) At this stage the young are all very much alike, but

the males may be picked out by a little more red.


Within a month the plumage becomes darker all over, and by six weeks

time red is rapidly appearing on the breasts of the males.


I notice that Mr. Hynd is wondering if his youngsters are all of one sex.

I do not know how his will turn out, but such an occurrence is by no means

rare. Last season I had three-nests that were 100 per cent males.


While dealing with this beautiful little bird I wish to contradict some of

the statements made against it. I have kept it with a good many other

Grass Finches and found it harmless, though occasionally blustering in

demeanour. The only time it is likely to be at all savage is during the

breeding season and then the remedy is obvious. During the rest of the year

it is quite trustworthy with even Waxbills, providing of course they are not

overcrowded, but who is optimistic enough to expect harmony if this occurs,

whether a Crimson Finch is present or not ?


S. D. Potter.


Auckland, N.Z.



