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II
Foreign Finchcs in Captivity.
tlie previous j-ear, was making advances to tlie lieu Green Singing Fincli, and
seemed likely to kill the cock of that species, I captured the former and paired
him with a large hen Canar}', in a spacious breeding-cage. This he resented, and
led the Canary such a life that I changed the hen twice before I could satisfy
him; at last, when I had found a Canary with which he would live without half
denuding her of her feathers, she must needs catch a bad cold, necessitating her
removal.
After this failure to breed mules, I captured my pair of Green Singing
Finches, restored the St. Plelena Seed-eater to his aviary, aud hoped to breed
5. icterus-, it was no good, the pair lived amicabty enough for a year in the breeding
cage, neither attempting to breed nor even singing; so, in 1893, I put them
both back with their former enemy. Curiously enough, the tables were now
completely turned; the smaller now attacked the larger bird, and drove it from
pillar to post whenever the fit took it; but, as no harm was likely to ensue in
this case, I let well alone—unfortunately, as the sequel proved.
Mr. Ayres writes:—"This species is common at Potchefstroom, breeding
amongst the hedgerows, and constructing a cup-shaped nest, rather roughly built
of twigs, intei-mingled with hair-like substances as a binding, and lined with cotton
and fine wool, mt h here and there a feather. It begins to lay in September."
Dr. Russ says:—"The nearest ally of the Hartlaub's Seed-eater (Green Singing
Finch); it has been confounded with it by many authors." He then points out
the difference of size and colouring, and proceeds:—"Also differing in disposition,
comparatively quieter, only somewhat excitable in the nesting-season. Is one of
the best songsters among the Finches." "As soon as the nesting-season approaches
the cock bird begins to feed his hen, about whom, up to that time he had not
troubled himself, from the crop; and, Finch-like, follows it when building in all
its actions. Ä-est formed in a thick bush not high above the earth, as a large,
open cup, externally of fine bents, internally of fibres, rootlets, and wool, and neatly
rounded off with horse-hair. The laying consists of four to five greenish white eggs,
zoned with delicate red and brown spots; sometimes differing. The development resembles
that of the Hartlaub's Seed-eater. It nests as well in a cage as when flying
freely in the bird-room. Its nearest relatives, even if much smaller, disturb it
when sitting. Harmless and peaceable with all other birds. Long-lived."
I n his Fremdländischen Stubenvögel Dr. Russ adds:—"Although I have only
bred it when at liberty in the bird-room and no further breeding results are known
to me, I am nevertheless thereby convinced that, in like manner, it will also nest
well in cages, and moreover that it is one of the best birds for breeding in
The St. Helena Seed-eater. 33
captivity. Of course one must avoid keeping its nearest allies with it in the birdroom,
for even those which are much smaller, as the Grey Serin, and Hartlaub's
Siskin, quarrel with aud pursue it so that it is prevented from breeding."
These observations would lead one to suppose not only that my St. Helena
Seed-eater was an unusually pugnacious individual, but that my Green and Grey
Singing Finches associated with him were particularly amiable; yet the former of
these followed out Dr. Russ' programme for a year after the reunion of the
species, but in March 1894 was pursued and killed by the St. Helena Seed-eater;
the Grey Singing Finch confines his attacks to those of his own kind in the
adjoining aviary, whom he fights through the wire partition. As regards breeding
in a cage, I must admit that my repeated attempts to satisfy 5. flaviventris with
hen Canaries to its liking and my inability to please it, make me very sceptical;
possibly a newly imported bird, if not allowed the run of a big aviary, but kept
in a cage from the commencement of its captivity, might be induced to do so;
but not one which has for years, or even months, been flying at large.
My bird does not bear out Dr. Russ' further observations, that it is "peaceable
m t h all other smaller birds and far more harmless than most other Flinches." I
have seen it disputing with Canaries, hen Weavers, the Nonpareil and Saffron
Finches; but more especially when there was some green food to quarrel for: I
have also known it to flght with a cock Comoro Weaver.
The habits of individuals do not necessarily represent the natural tendencies
of species; therefore only a study of numerous iudivicluals, by many independent
witnesses, can decide whether their behaviour is normal or abnormal.
The illustrations are from a living male in the author's collection, and from
a skin of the female in the Natural History IMuseum.
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