The Aviaries and Birds at Hoddam Castle. 195 



from Mr. Brook the following, as to their demeanour in 

 captivity. 



B. of P. do not require much heat, but they do re- 

 quire room for exercise and fresh air — they have a great dis- 

 like to a strong light. 



All are iiisectivorony and frugivorous, but some are almost 

 carnivorous, and will take as many mice as you choose to 

 give them. A Willow Wren found its way into the enclosure 

 of the Lesser Ajjoda — only the wings were left to tell the 

 tale ! 



They are not dillicult to keep in health, but their likes 

 and dislikes as to fruits, etc., must be observed — nearly all 

 are fond of privel', elder, and rowan berries. 



Most of the species exhibit considerable intelligence, 

 readily become tame, and then need watching as a caress from 

 their powerful l)eaks means a possibly dangerous and painful 

 blow. 



I must leave my notes on the LORIID^E, PSITTA- 

 CID^, etc., for another instalment. 



To he Coniinned. 



The Breeding of Ruficaudas, Painted and Olive 

 Finches, etc. 



By Hayward W. Mathias. 



In the last issue of " our " Journal is published a note 

 to say that I had Painted and liulicauda Finches nesting. Since 

 that note appeared our worthy Editor writes to say he would 

 like to have some details of my breeding operations, and 

 since a request from Mr. Page is equivalent to a " Royal 

 Command," I have of course the greatest possible pleasure 

 in forwarding these notes. I should perhaps preface tliem by 

 saying that since I leave my birds very much to their own 

 devices during the nesting season, and interfere with them as 

 little as possible, my notes must necessarily be more or less 

 "sketchy," and will I fear therefore hardly come up to what 

 Mr. Page asks for,— and that is that my breeding notes should 

 be as diffuse as possible. 



Perhaps at starting I may be allowed to say that 1 owe 



