94 



there was no sign of a cap. The other bird was just 

 a Redpoll over again — a little larger than its sire, but 

 a perfect copy of him in all respects except of course 

 as to colour of poll and breast. 



In my experience Siskins have generally proved 

 very attentive to hen Canaries, feeding them when on 

 the nest with great regularity ; one cock that I bred 

 from for four years and which was particularly 

 attractive and tame, was also a good feeder of his young. 

 I often wonder why these birds are not more popular 

 with mule breeders, since in addition to their own 

 docilit}^ and confiding little wa3^s their hj'brids with 

 the Canary are really great as songsters, as well as 

 decidedly good to look at. I had one for some years 

 which I had trained as a youngster under a Green 

 Singing Finch, and a more charming and inde- 

 fatigable singer could not be imagined. The some- 

 what disconnected phrasing of the tutor he re- 

 produced in a more connected form, adding to it a 

 portion of the song of the St. Helena Seedeater, one 

 of which species had also been kept in the same 

 room for a time. The effect of these combined songs 

 was particularly pleasing, the more so as it was 

 quite different from anything obtainable from either 

 Canaries or any of our own native songsters. Apart 

 from the beauty of their tones and phrases, one great 

 advantage accruing from the use of these South 

 African Serins as schoolmasters is that, until they are 

 completely acclimatized, they moult in February and 

 March, and so are in full song all through the autumn 

 iust when we most require their help as instructors. 



Before I close this chapter it may perhaps be 

 interesting if a few particulars are given about my 

 aviaries. Their construction is simplicity itself, and 

 is such as can readilj^ be undertaken by anyone who 

 has the most elementary knowledge of carpentering. 

 Having selected a site under a wall with a south or 



