THE



Avicultural Magazine


THE JOURNAL OF THE

AVICULTURAL SOCIETY



Fourth Series. —Vol. XI.—No. 6 .—All rights reserved. JUNE, 1933.



THE FIRE-TAILED FINCH


(^Zon^egin thus hellus )


This beautiful Finch occurs in the coastal districts of the south¬

eastern portion of Australia, in Tasmania, Kangaroo Island, and

the larger islands of Bass Strait. Its principal habitat is Tasmania,

whence most of those that have been imported to Europe have come.

They are partial to the scrub and herbage which grows near water¬

courses, and are found in small parties, generally accompanied by the

so-called Sydney Waxbill—the Red-browed Finch (Mgintlna temporalis).

They have a peculiar plaintive note, and when they fly the brilliant

scarlet colour of the rump is particularly noticeable. The nest, according

to Campbell, is “ bottle-shaped, or covered in, with spouted entrance ;

constructed of grasses chiefly, with the addition of portions of other

plants ; lined inside somewhat sparingly with fine grasses and fur

or feathers. Usually situated in thick-foliaged tree or bush.” One

pair of these finches was exhibited at the last Crystal Palace show, but

few have been imported in recent years. They are delicate at first,

and said to be difficult to import. In 1908 I brought a number home,

and we had no trouble with them, but others with far more experience

have sometimes had very bad luck. There seems to be no record of

this species having bred in Europe, but Dr. Hopkinson found an

aviculturist in Sydney breeding them quite freely, as recorded in

More Additions to Breeding Records. Mr. Neville Cayley, in his


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