11 -•
54 Foreign Finches in Captivity.
of sucli breeding- has become kno.vn to me, I have not the least doubt of its
possibilit_y."
Some mule breeders, whose faith is limited to their own personal experience
ridicnle the bare idea of the possibilitj- of a cross between a typical Finch and I
Bunting; just as they do between a trne Finch and the type of the family but
what Dr. Russ and Mr. Wiener positively assert with regard to the Indigo Finch
(also a Bnnting), clearly proves that such feats in mule breeding, though perhaps
r e q n i n n g more patience and perseverance than the ordinary^ breeder possesses are
by no means impossible: indeed, the crossing of a Waxbill and a Grass-Finch would
seem to be quite as diiEcnlt, so far as actual affinity between the parents <.oes
There are however, unfortunately, men who not only disbelieve facts, but wonkl not
credit their o^vn eyesight, if it contradicted their long-cherished superstitions • they
mistake disbelief, which is frequently the offspring of ignorance, for ^^dsdom • and
thereby show the narrowness of their own minds.
I n confinement canary seed, white millet, spray millet, mealworms, cockroaches
or other insect food, and fresh chickweed, when obtainable, form suitable food for
the Nonpareil; but too many mealworms should not be given, as they tend to
make the bird too fat; one or two a day, when other insect food cannot be procured
are sufiicient to keep it in health; moreover as soon as caterpillars can be substituted,'
they should be given in preference: those of the Cabbage Moth, or Dot Moth, being
as good as any: hairy caterpillars are of no use, excepting to feed members'of the
Thnish family and Cuckoos, as most Insectivorous birds will not touch them
The illustration of the male bird is taken from living examples in the author's
collection, that of the female from a skin in the National collection.
' 1 -¿^J«?;!!-.
¡¡•il l• I i
t j
I t
i!is Mi--.,
If
Iji'
m
1. J.,
- M