255 



lion of preserved egg, was always in the aviary I think 

 some of the soft food, though not much, was eaten by 

 the parent Double-bands. 



The most noticeable peculiarity about the nesting of 

 this species is its extreme amiability towards other ])irds 

 during the breeding season. The Double-banded Finch 

 neither interferes with other birds, nor allows itself to be 

 interfered with by them. It goes its own way without 

 any of the fuss and ostentatious combativeness indulged 

 in by most species while nesting. It is consequently 

 quite an ideal aviary bird. 



H. Pv. Fii,IvMp:r. 



WILD BIRD NOTES.^^ 



I have been staying at Felixstowe for a fortnight 

 in search of invigorating sea breezes, but as yet have 

 met only with laud winds. This part of the East Coast 

 faces due South. 



I have looked for birds every morning, and have been 

 pleased to find a good many Goldfinches. The largest 

 family flying together numbered only five, but twos and 

 threes are quite ordinary. From this I conclude that 

 the young birds separate even thus early in July. 



Linnets are very common, and families of seven are 

 •constantly met with. I watched ten youngsters, the two 

 old pairs catering for them. They were fully grown and 

 quietly remained on some faggots only three yards from 

 me. I noticed them about two and again at five p.m. 

 I marvelled at the inactivity of these fully grown 

 youngsters, and why they did not attempt to forage for 

 themselves. The nestlings I have brought up by hand 

 in my earlier days \vere mostly able to support them- 

 selves before their tails were fully grown. 



Skylarks are plentiful, but I see very few branchers 



* These Notes were written in July last.— Ed. 



