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


Olive Finch (.Phonipara lepida ).—Like the foregoing species, they

appear to be very free breeders. Ten young Olives were reared. I have

noticed that these Finches are particularly fond of a little fruit. The

characteristic of the Weaver is in evidence by their strongly woven,

pouched shaped nests.


Black-headed Mannikin (Munia atricapilla ).—I would class these

common Mannikins as difficult to breed, not so much as to the actual

rearing of the young, the difficulty lies in inducing the old birds to

nest and lay, as they possess a very nervous temperament, like the

white-headed variety, although I found the latter even more difficult.

Four white eggs were laid in a strongly constructed, oval-shaped

nest, rather smaller than one would expect for a bird of their size.

Four young were reared. They apparently take a long time to assume

full dress, as I disposed of them at four months, when they were just

showing signs of breaking colour. This species were not given any

special food, but I particularly noticed that the old birds spent most

of their time gorging green seeding grasses in their aviary ; flying-

on to a grass stalk, the bird would bend it to the ground and extract

the seeds.


Beautiful Fire-tailed Finch (Zonaeginthus hellus ).—This family,

I consider, is by far the most delicate of Australian Finches in captivity..

My breeding pair built within their shelter, amongst some gum branches,

a very large loosely made, oval-shaped nest, almost the size of a football.

The entrance was bottle-necked, sloping downwards. These birds prefer

long stems of dried grasses for nesting material. A few feathers were

used for lining ; four white eggs were laid ; incubation occupied

fifteen days from the last egg, when two youngsters were hatched.

Live food was supplied in the form of Termites. These two youngsters-

grew into fine birds when I liberated them into another aviary two

months later. Unfortunately a cat quickly terminated their lives :

however, that part of the business has since been taken care of. I hope-

to do better with Zonaeginthus hellus next season.


Peters’ Spotted Finch (Hypargos niveiguttatus ).—A pair of these

beautiful finches was sent to me from England by a fancier last spring,

and I must admit surprised me by nesting a few weeks later. This-

nest, however, proved to be infertile. A second nest in October went-



