British Birds. 287 



sit on the trunk quite close while I had my peep at her 

 fiamily. 



June 7th, both birds feeding well, and visions of that 

 medal were constantly before me. June 8th, found one young 

 bird dead, stufl'ed through the wire netting at the same spot 

 the &^Q shells had been placed. Its crop seemed full, and 

 it showed no sign of injury. June 9th, both old birds seemed 

 very excited, constantly calling and flying to the entrance 

 of the nest and back again. As they made no attempt 

 to enter the nest, I again removed the top, orily to fmd the 

 other three young birds gone. Though I searched every 

 inch of the aviary I never found any trace of them, but I 

 did find three large mice in the ivy, and no doubt they knew 

 Iwhat had become of the Tree-creepers. Thus ended my 

 first attempt. 



On June 12th, 1 removed both birds from the aviary, 

 and placed them in one of my largest aviaries, 36 feet 

 long, 24 feet wide and 12 feet high. This is well planted 

 with shrubs, has an inner compartment, and a shelter shed, 

 and I fitted up several tree trunks and nesting sites for 

 jthem. They never attempted to nest again in this aviary, 

 and evidently prefer the smaller one. If they both survive 

 the winter (and I see no reason why they should not ;for 

 they are very tame and hardy), I shall re-wire the old 

 aviary with quarter -inch mesh wire, and try again — I hope 

 with better success. 



Odd Notes on British Birds. 



By Miss Alfeeda B. Smyth. 



Redpolls kept in a large open wire cage indoors, nested 

 in a Hartz-travelling-cage. They made the nest of dried 

 grass, and laid a clutch of 3 eggs. They were disturbed by 

 the other birds and the eggs were broken. They went to 

 nest 'again, and the hen had 2 eggs but did not incubate, 

 so the eggs were put under a Canary but, unfortunately, were 

 thrown out and broken. 



The hen Redpoll went to nest a third time but was 

 again disturbed, by the other birds. She dropped 2 eggs 

 from the perch; shortly after she laid a soft one and died 

 the same evening. 



