11)8 Brccduifj of Buficavdas, Painted Finches, etc. 



concluded that they were incubating in the new nest. To my 

 amazement, one morning when sitting in the flight, I heard the 

 unmistakable sound of young birds being fed, proceeding from 

 the old nest, and watching carefully, saw the old birds going 

 in and out of it. On June 15th, one youngi 1iird emerged, 

 but I found to my regret the second youngster was dead, — 

 about half grown. The nest was constructed of dried grass, 

 and lined internally with haii'. Tlie nest was a most flimsy 

 structure, and certainly would !iot have sujjported the- weight 

 of more than two young l)irds. 1 notired, as a curious thing, 

 that the hen fed the cock during the nest l)uilding period, and 

 that the cock did most of it. During the courting period it 

 was a most charming sight to see tin; cock " showing-ofl" " 

 to the hen. He stood before her, opened his beak, and flut- 

 tered his Avings with the most extraordinary j-apidity for 

 ([uite luilf a minute, or more, at a time. I can say truth- 

 fully that Olive Finches are far and away the most charming 

 and interesting Ijirds I have ever had the luck to keep, and 

 they are certainly my favourites out of the whole flock. The 

 Olives are especially fond of flies, and tliey rejoice to pick 

 them out of any spider's wel) they can find. They also are 

 continually chasing small flies in the flight, and are always a't 

 work on the trees searching for insect life. The last pair to 

 mention are the Kuticaudas. They nested in the aviary in a 

 Canary nest box. These birds are so well known that it 

 seems like occupying valuable space to describe their nesting. 

 They are extremely philosophical, and do not resent in the 

 least being watched, and the tender way in which they fed 

 and tended their brood was quite delightful. This species as 

 well as the Olive Finches, and Painted Finches were keen on 



live insect food. 



(To he conti)iued). 



Birds of Gambia. 



By E. HoPKiNsoN, D.S.O., M.A., M.B. 



Ciiiit'niiird from puije HO. 

 PSITTACIDAE. 

 In the Gambia tliere are only three species ot Pari'ot, ),he 

 Grey, the typical West African Parrot, not occurring quite as far 



