69 



only other place where I have seen them was in 

 Leadenhall Market, where — as I have already men- 

 tioned — they called it the Brown-headed Bnnting. j 

 remember the shopkeeper wanted twelve-and-sixpence 

 a pair, and I replied that I thonght it too much, and 

 also that I could get the birds elsewhere at a lower 

 figure. The latter remark was like a red rag to the 

 man, and he emphatically asserted that he was willing 

 to stake most of his worldly property, and also his 

 reputation, (whatever that may have been worth), that 

 it was impossible to get them anywhere for less than 

 he charged. I told him as gently as possible that I 

 had no desire to deprive him of his possesions, but if 

 he liked to risk half-a-sovereign over the question, I 

 should be pleased to accept it. For some unaccount- 

 able reason he hesitated — having swallowed the camel 

 he strained at a gnat — the possible actual loss of ten 

 shillings seeming to be of greater importance than 

 the visio7iary loss of all his worldly wealth — to say 

 nothing of the reputation. However it occurred to 

 me that it was as well he should not accept my offer, 

 which was made half jokingly, as I could not spare 

 time to prove it just then, so I offered to tell him the 

 place whereat the birds could be purchased for con- 

 siderably less than twelve-and-six a pair. With 

 studied carelessness he agreed, and on hearing it, he 

 rather grudgingly expressed the possibility of my 

 being right. And it was more than possible I was, for 

 I only gave four-and-sixpence for my bird! 



One of the most delicately coloured of our foreign 

 birds is the Lavender Finch, with its bluish-grey body 

 and crimson flanks. They are really charming little 

 birds, being quiet and gentle in their behaviour : but 



