H. S. Sewell—•Breeding Notes from Toorak, South Australia 267



therefore, advise fanciers who intend to breed this species, to separate

the young immediately when independent from their parents. Two

further young ones were recently reared. Actually ten young Melbas

left their nests, raised by the one pair. Two were lost in the first

moult, leaving me five for the season ; not a very high average, but

I expect to do better next season on the foregoing experience. I have

found them most consistent layers, and I feel sure if fanciers con¬

centrated on the Melba Finch the trouble would repay them hand¬

somely. Three to four white eggs are usually laid, and their loosely

made nests, oval in shape, are thickly lined with feathers. Incubation

usually occupies twelve to thirteen days. There is nothing striking

in the coloration of the fledglings, being mainly olivaceous above,

and greyish-green below. Kump and lower tail feathers red, beak black.

Live food, such as termites, mealworms, etc., are essential, and they

are particularly fond of young succulent grass ; when feeding young

they consume a considerable amount.


Bronze Mannikins (Spermestes cucullata ).—These birds have

proved most prolific. One pair reared eighteen young. One outstanding

nest of six was raised, although four or five eggs appear to be the

usual clutch. I have raised these birds without any prepared food,

but consider that they do better on a little live food, and for this

reason I should think they might prove better foster parents for some

of the rarer foreigners than the Bengalese, the latter not being partial

to live food.


Cordon Bleu (Urwginthus phcenicotis ).—These lovely little Wax-

bills are extremely delicate when first imported. After moulting,

however, they appear to be quite hardy in this climate. Two pairs

produced fifteen young this season, and I have found them to be

more prolific than the Blue-breasted.


Cuban Finch (Phonipara canora ).—I think these pretty little finches

are an acquisition to any aviary, although I would liken their so-called

melodious song to that of a squeaky bicycle. Two pairs reared fifteen

young between them. They appear to be continuous breeders in this

climate. One nest of four young was successfully reared. Three eggs

represent the normal clutch. The colouring of young Cubans, being

almost identical to an adult hen.



