The Iwi'crcsk Lodge Aviary. 105 



from Mollaiid — sliow the wonderful varial^ility of this bird in a 

 strikinsj;- way. One exhibits black ear-tufts and ruff on dark 

 body; one white on li^ht grey; and the others two different 

 shades of brown on dark brown. Unfortunately no Reeves 

 came to hand with these birds. The Spur-win.qed Plovers are 

 the most recent additions to the waders, and may be described 

 MS large, somewhat obscurely coloured peewits, on extra long 

 red legs. Two pairs of Mandarin Ducks, and Californian and 

 Scaly Quail complete the list of birds occupying the ground area. 



As stated, provision was made for the keeping of the more 

 iistial class of aviary birds, and the fine collection of finches, etc., 

 includes the following species : — 



Pekin Robins (Liotlirix Jut ens). 

 Reed Buntings (Emberisa schoenichts). 

 Pied Wagtails {Motacilla lugubn's). 

 Shore Larks (Otocorys alpestris). 

 Combasous (Hypochoera aenea). 

 Orange Weavers {PyromeJana fmncrsrava). 

 Pintail Whydahs (Vidua principalis). 

 Paradise Whydahs {Steganura paradisca). 

 Dominican Cardinals (Paroaria larvata). 

 Green Cardinals {Giibernatrix cristata). 

 Virginian Cardinals {Cardinalis cardinaUs). 

 Lavender Finches (Lagonosficta cacrula). 

 Rainbow Buntings {Cyanospisa leclancheri). 

 Grey-winged Ousels (Merula boulboul). 

 Scaly Doves (Scardafella squamosa). 

 Redpolls (Linota rufescens). 

 Siskins (Spinus spinus). 

 Linnet (Linota cannabina). 

 Bullfinch (PyrrhuJa europaea). 

 Snow Bunting (Plectropheuax nivalis). 

 Giant Yellow-bellied Grosbeaks. 



One could write pages regarding the demeanour and varied 

 ways of this beautiful group of birds, disporting themselves in 

 security and what is practically freedom, but a few short notes 

 must sufifice. The nesting of any of the waders is perhaps a 

 remote possibility, but encouraging signs have been noticed 

 from some of the others, notably Pekin Robins, Pope Cardinals, 

 Siskins, Redpolls, and Reed-Buntings. Indeed, the last-named 

 have nested in a small spruce tree seen on the left near the pond. 

 Two eggs were laid, and one young one was hatched. The 

 parents nourished it well, hawking industriously over the water 



