i68 



had three young ones, but I am sorry to say they only lived a 

 few days. 



The Golden-breasted Waxbills also built in a cocoa-nut 

 husk, and have got two 3'ouug ones nearly ready to fly. I hope 

 next month to be able to tell you that they are flying about 

 and feeding themselves. 



I have also Orange Cheeks that are raising my hopes — they 

 have built in a small travelling cage on the ground, and have 

 got eggs, but I am almost afraid it is too late in the season for 

 success in rearing, Henry Dart. 



THE PIN-TAILED WHYDAH. 



I have a male of this species which I bought in the autumn 

 of 1894. It was then apparently a young bird, and its tail 

 was shorter than in subsequent seasons. Each summer since 

 then, until the present year, it has come into perfect plumage — 

 but this year the long tail has failed to grow, although the 

 usual change of colour has taken place in the plumage. The 

 bird is now manifestly aged, and somewhat decrepit, and has 

 probably passed the natural limit of life in the species. 



Horatio R. Fii.t,mer. 



