155 



with the object of illustrating this feature, but owing to the birds 

 throwing their heads back and breasts forward, the bib or throat 

 marking is but indifferently indicated. 



Pink-browed Rose-finches (Propasser rhodochrous) have 

 built, but no eggs have been laid and there appears to be no 

 prospect of their doing anything this season. This species, that 

 is, neither the pair in question nor yet the pair which I possess 

 will touch any live insects. 



Scaly-crowned Finches : These, though one was a strong 

 singer, proved in the end to be two hens, after jointly occupying 

 one nest and sitting closely for a time, then declared themselves 

 by building separate nests and each laying a clutch of eggs. 



Blue Grosbeaks {Guiraca cyaneci) have nested and laid, 

 but no young have been reared. The same applies to Grey- 

 necked Serins. Green Avadavats nest annually in the main 

 aviary, and it was a pretty and interesting sight to see the old 

 pair with their two young, which, though able to fend for 

 themselves, were still being fed by the old birds. The young 

 are plain olive green birds without any of the barrings or 

 striking plumage markings of the adult birds. Rufous-backed 

 Mannikins (Spenuestes ?iigriceps) must be numbered among those 

 which have built, laid and hatched out young, of which only one 

 left the nest, unfortunately this mysteriously disappeared while 

 Mr. T. was away seeking opportunities of photographing the 

 nests, etc., of our native birds. This was another " first on 

 record " spoilt when success seemed certain. 



Of the British birds, the Cir-1 Buntings* have nested and 

 reared young, of which an account appears elsewhere in this 

 issue from the pen of our esteemed member. Lapland Buntings, 

 Mealy Redpolls* and Nuthatches have all nested this season but 

 so far without result. 



Mr. T's experience goes to show, that even with the most 

 natural surroundings, the attempts far outnumber the actual 

 successes ; that the pursuit of aviculture, while full of interest 

 and never growing stale, yet brings many disappointments, and 

 also some compensation in the form of successfully breeding new 

 and rare species, and seeing their life history gradually unfolded 

 in its various stages. 



* See plates. 



