pied mutations when combined can produce Dark-Eyed White Bengalese (similar relationship as the Dark- Eyed Clears in Budgerigars). If this is true then some Whites are capable of producing a small percentage of variegated birds. In the UK there is another form, which I believe is an extreme version of the variegated (pied) dilute fawn and white, its’ feathering is not pure white, and legs and beak are not usually a pale pink.
Pink-Eyed Whites This is the albino form of the Bengalese finch being pure white with pink eyes and legs. The first reported examples occurred in 1978 but the variety was not established until 1985. The mode of inheritance of the albino mutation in Bengalese in the UK and Europe is regarded as being autosomal (non- sex linked) recessive, but a Japanese co-dominant albino mutation has been identified. Every coloured Bengalese I have bred from pink-eyed whites, other than some dilute varieties, has had much lighter than its coloured ancestors. I wonder if the UK mutation is actually the same mutation as that found in Japan.
Self Chocolates As indicated previously the ancestor of the Bengalese Finch is believed to be the Chinese race of the White-Rumped Munia (Lonchura Striata Swinhoei)
34 BIRD SCENE
which is very similar to lighter coloured Self Chocolate Bengalese. Selfs were produced in Denmark by selectively breeding variegated birds to remove white feathers. The first selfs reported were imported into the UK from Denmark in the mid-1950s as part of a foreign bird consignment. They had slight markings on the chest and no white in their plumage. Subsequently using stock originating from Denmark, both in Holland and Germany they were cross-bred with other Lonchura species. This caused significant darkening of the chocolate colour and more pronounced markings. They are often referred to as black-browns and are my wife’s favourites. Chocolate colour and inheritance are as Chocolate & Whites.
Self Fawns In the UK Self Fawns were soon developed from the Self Chocolate imports, while in Germany much strongly coloured birds, described as fox reds, were produced, again using other Lonchura species. They are often referred to as red-browns. Fawn colour and inheritance are as Fawn & Whites.
Self Chestnuts These are also reported as first occurring in the 1970s, an important decade in the establishing new Bengalese colours. Chestnut colour and inheritance are as Chestnut & Whites.
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