i
^^ Introduction.
Tlie arrangement of the families is based upon that followed in the British
Musetmi Catalogue of Birds, modified in accordance with the views expressed by
Dr. Bowdler Sharpe on the first page of volume xin; but as regards the order of
the Subfamilies and genera, I have felt bound to make some changes, based upon
obsei-vations of the habits and actions of the living birds as made in my aviaries,
and to avoid doing violence to the views of fanciers generally.*
The "Mannikins" and "Waxbills" are intermingled" in scientific workswhereas,
to the student of living birds, they form two fairly well-marked groupsthe
former are, compared with the Waxbills, heavy and clumsy in their actions!
when smging, their necks are stretched upwards to their highest level, the head
slightly depressed and the beak opened to its widest extent; whilst their song,
with very few exceptions, is barely audible. On the other hand the Waxbills are light
and active, the beak is raised rather than depressed, when singing: and if dancing
accompanies the song, are pointed upwards, the song itself being bright and shrilL
It is true that as regards activity and clear vocal utterance, the hybrid Pied
IMannikin and the Silver-bills approach the Waxbills; but in other respects, they
are Mannikins pure and simple: the Java Sparrow is also exceptionally musical. "
The Combasou and allies are, by scientists, mdely separated from the typical
Whydahs; yet in their chattering song, their habit of scraping in the sand when
feeding, and their ^vinter plumage, these birds agree closely with the Widow-birds.
As regards other changes, the Cardinals, in deference to popular feeling, and
because of their general similarity, are here kept together; and as Dr. Sharpe
admits that the beak of Cardinalis is Bunting-like, there can be little harm in the
association, if it be granted that without further evidence it shall not be considered
a true Buntingt. The Weavers, so called, are also placed in succession; inasmuch
as their violent courtships, pugnacity, harsh voices, and a similarity of winter
plumage in most of them, whether strictly belonging to the Plocemm or VUwma:,
seem to indicate affinity.
Having taken into consideration their classification in Nature, the next
point is to consider which of these birds should be associated in aviaries. Well
if I only possessed two large aviaries, I would put all the large birds in one and
the small in the other; but with better aceomniodation, nicer distinctions should
be made. Weavers and Whydahs, excepting the largest, do very well with Rose
and Saffron Finches, Nonpareil or Indigo Buntings (but not with both of these),
* Of course I am perfectly well aware that the scientific naturalist nui.st follow .structure alone in
classification.
t See notes on the Subfamily Eniberizhto^.
Introdnction. . v
Canaries and other typical finches. Cardinals are best kept in cages; or each
species with a small aviary to itself. Diamond Sparrows and Parson Finches are
extremely aggressive, as also are Cut-throat Finches: these are all best kept apart
in spacious breeding-cages. Bronze Mannikins are occasionally c|uarrelsome, and
sometimes come to a bad end by attacking a bird stronger than themselves. Green
Singing-Finches quarrel with other similarly coloured Serins and sometimes get
punished for their combative behaviour. Grey Singing-Finches quarrel incessantiy,
but only with one anotiier; the fighting in their case is not spiteful, although it
rather injures their plumage; the more they fight, the better they sing. The
White-throated Finch is spiteful to the Bluish Finch, which however is so nearly
related to it, that it should be able to hold its own. The Combasou is quite
harmless; though meddlesome, he is a very good-natured old fellow and a great
admirer of the fair sex. Nonpareils always quarrel witii Indigo Btmtings and
sometimes with Saffron Finches; in the first instance they have the better of the
disputes, but in the second, very much the worse.
After making sure that your birds do not murder one anotiier, your first
consideration should be to exclude all draught: compared with this, warmth and
sunshine are of very little importance; even the most delicate of the little Astrilds
will stand a considerable degree of cold without necessarily succumbing; but tiie
least draught will be almost immediately fatal. As regards sunshine, birds
nndoitbtedly enjoy it, but they will live for many years in perfect health without it.
A cage for Finches, or indeed for any other birds, should therefore be open in
front only; in other words, it should be what is known as a box-cage: even an
aviary when constructed on this plan shows a considerably lower rate of mortality
than if open to every wind of heaven.
Cleanliness must rank next in importance to absence of draught: fresh air,
which is a necessity, is one result of cleanliness. To secure this, every aviary
.should be thoroughly swept out and cleansed once a week, and all cages, however
large, if they contain more than a pair of birds, should have fresh sand twice a
week; ever}' receptacle for water should be washed with warm-water daily, and
every seed-pan if necessary; perches should be examined to see that they do not
get dirty, and if the walls or wires of cages become foul, they should be
thoroughly washed, and in the case of such as are made of wood, freshly limewhited.
For food and water receptacles, metal hoppers and glass or earthenware
fountains are tisually recommended; the former undoubtedly lessen the waste of
seed and are valuable for aviarj- purposes, but the latter are difficult to clean and