General chapters include general management, regulating the breeding season, colour mutations, and common health problems. Individual species chapters present on 18 members of the Australian Estrildid finch family.
Russell Kingston's interest in keeping and breeding finches commenced in 1956 and has continued passionately ever since. Russell articles on finches are regularly published in renowned national and international publications. He has been awarded an OAM for Services to Aviculture in the Queen's honours.