162 Foreign Finchcs in Captivity.
Honiaby on the gth of November, 1SS6. The nest is a large strnctnre, composed
exteriorh" of long pieces of coarse dried grasses, lined \\ith others of a finer
description, it has a long narrow neck, ten inches in length, b)- two inches and
a half in width; the nest proper which is globnlar, measnring seven inches
through external diameter; it ^^•as bnilt in a native Broom abont ten feet from
the ground. Eggs five in number for a sitting, pure white, elongated in form,
being nearly equal in size at both ends. The breeding season commences in
September and continues until the end of December."
Dr. Russ says:—"I first received, in 1875, from Miss Hagenbeck, an Ornamental
Finch, which delighted me with its soft beaut}-, still more by its tame
unusually confiding demeanour.
" Size, entire disposition, love-dance, etc., like that of the Diamond Finch.
Call-note more prolonged. This lovel}- species has subsequently been imported
more frecpiently and in greater numbers by the large dealers. Thej' appeared
stronger and more sprightl}- than those -which I first possessed, yet both with
Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and myself they quicklj- died, whereas some
pairs which J. Abrahams sold in Ivondon and Paris, got on \vell."
Dr. Russ evidently regards this as a Grass-finch ; 3-et it is more generalhrecognized
as a Waxbill, but I suspect he is right.
The cjuestion now arises—Why were Dr. Russ, Prince Ferdinand, and Mr.
AViener unable to keep this finch alive; whereas English and French fanciers
had no difficult}- in doing so ? It strikes nie that the German Bird-lover regnlar-
1_\- keeps his birds warmer throughout the year. This treatment, which enables
him, without trouble, to keep ali^^e the more delicate American and African species,
is not neces.sary for the Australian finches.
It is very difficult to provide a high temperature, without the accompaniment
either of stuffiness or draught. To the Australian finches more than any others,
fresh pure air seems to be a necessity: clr^- cold thev seem entirel}- to ignore.
AMiilst the hardiest European finches sit huddled together for warmth, and
freqnenth' die when \i-intered in a cold aviar\-, the small Grass-finches and
AVaxbills of Australia behave as though it were summer ; flying merrily about,
singing and dancing to their mates, building nests and unfortunately attempting
to breed. This is the sole drawback; for the cold clear air which appears to
in\-igorate the birds theniseh-es, nevertheless hinders the deposition of lime on the
surface of the eggs, and contracts the egg-passage; so that all the hen birds
which attempt to breed in a cold aviar}- during the winter, die from egg-binding.
If I ever obtain examples of this Fire-tailed Finch, I shall not attempt to
Australian Fire-failed Fineh. 163
keep them through the winter in a high temperature; neither shall I risk turning
such valuable birds into a cold aviary: but they shall have a cage to
themselves with a box to retire to at night, and a temperature of about fifty
degrees, Fahr. dttring the cold weather. Although it seems presumptuous to
suggest such treatment to the most successful of all Bird-keepers ; I feel convinced,
that if Dr. Russ were to try the Fire-tailed Finch again under these conditions,
he would be able to keep them alive. I find that several of the regular stove
plants which give trouble to the horticulturist, grow and bloom better under cool
treatment.
Wiener's idea, that this bird requires some special food of which we kno\\'
nothing, seems to me fanciful.
Illustrations from skins in the Natural Histor}- Museum.
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