The Nesting of the Algerian Chaffinch. 13 



picture of repose in motion. Rising, falling in long undula- 

 tions, floating, balancing far above the earth, now stationary 

 on motionless wings, and again with a superb swoop, a very 

 meteor for speed. Serenely pursues its way, ignoring the 

 indignities of the crow that may not reach the dizzy heights to 

 which it soars. While nesting. April to August, helpless fledg- 

 lings give them little opportunity for these leisurely sails, but 

 they are birds of freedom indeed towards the end of August. 

 and in September " Kee you. kee you " they scream as they 

 sail — a cry the Blue Jay has learned to imitate to perfection. 

 Easy to approach when gorged. Leaves food when approached 

 instead of carrying it off like the other hawks. If cornered or 

 wounded will fight to the last on the back, defending themselves 

 with both bills and talons. Spends most of its life perching, 

 usually on some dead limb, where it watches for mice and moles 

 creeping through the meadow, etc. It is not shy. and when 

 perched can be easily approached and watched as it descends 

 like a thunderbolt to strike its prey. 



Eggs. 2 to 4 in number, white with rough granulated 

 shells, often irregularly marked with shades of cinnamon, 



They remain paired for life. Their downy young are 

 helpless, and do not leave the nest until fully able to fly. 



The Nesting of the Algerian Chaffinch 



Fringtlla spodiogenes. 



By W. Shore Baily. 



Rather more than a year ago I bought a pair of Algerian 

 Chaffinches from a London dealer. The cock was a nice bird, 

 but the hen was in rough condition and minus one eye. so while 

 turning the cock into an outdoor aviary I decided to keep the 

 hen indors until the warm weather set in. The cock started 

 singing early in February, and both its song and call-note were 

 noticeably different from those of the English birds outside the 

 aviary, who very freely replied to its vocal efforts. 



The birds themselves differ very little in plumage from 



