72 



Parrot Finch, Pin-tailed Nonpareil, Gotildian Finch, 

 Red-headed Finch, Bicheno's Finch, and Cherry 

 Fincli). 



ID. All species of Grosbeaks, True Finches, and 

 Buntings (including the Cuba Finches and the 

 Cardinals). 



IT. All species of Tanagers, Sugar-birds, Honej'-eaters, 

 Zosterops, and Bulbuls. 



12. All species not comprised in the above. 



THE EDITOR'S LETTER BOX. 



BREFDING BUNTINGS. 



Sir, — In answer to J. F., I should recommend 

 another trial of the hen Nonpareil, for I have had one 

 in nn^ possession for more than five years, and what is 

 more to the point, she not onh- went to nest three seasons 

 ago, but hatched out two 3^oung ones. At that time my 

 birds were being kept in an ordinary room with a south 

 aspect, while their proper domicile was being built. 



The Nonpareils in question were allowed the free 

 run of the room, and, seeing them inclined to nest, I put 

 some extra boughs in one corner, and left them to their 

 own devices, with the above result. Unfortunatel}' the 

 cock bird (wliich was ver}' old and was therefore known 

 by the name of "Methuselah") died in the following 

 winter, and though his place was filled up the hen 

 refused to go to nest again. Far from being sickly, she 

 is a better bird than either of her mates, ])ut I am not 

 prepared to sa}' what might happen if they were kept in 

 an outdoor aviary. Personally I do not think it quite 

 fair on the Tropical and vSub-tropical birds to try to keep 

 them out of doors all the j'ear, and I do not think the 

 experience can be any more agreeable to them than a 

 winter in the Arctic regions would be to me. 



C. B. d'Fyncourt Chamberi^ain. 



