306 Visits to Members' Aviaries. 



four were reared in July. A second brood was hatched out 

 in September, of which only one was reared. Dr. Amsler re- 

 marks: " It is rather important I think, to remove the chicks 

 when about five weeks old — as they are inclined to disturb 

 the hen if she lays again." 



Aviary No. 4: This, another well arranged natural en- 

 closijLre 15 X 5 feet, with plenty of head room, was occupied 

 by a pair of Tri-coloured Parrot Finches, but they have 

 made no return for the ample accommodation given them. 

 Three clutches of eggs have been laid, but all proved in- 

 fertile. Dr. Amsler states that they have been more or less 

 in the moult all the summer, first the hen and then the cock. 



Aviary No. 5: This aviary, though 45 feet long, is but 

 4 — G feet deep, but has plenty of head room, and is admirably 

 arranged with growing bushes, privet, sweet bay, etc., which 

 the tiny feathered occupants appeared to be enjoying to the 

 full. It contained pairs of the following species: 



Blue-breastad Waxbills. Gouldian Finches. 



Golden-breasted Waxbills. Cuba Finches. 



Avadavats. Parrot Finches. 



Common Waxbills. Hooded Siskins. 



St. Helena Waxbills. Yellow-winged Sugarbirds. 

 Painted Finches 



The following notes on their doings are extracts from 

 Dr. Amsler's letters. 



Blue-breasted Waxbills: " Built a spherical nest in a 

 standard bay tree, and four clutches were laid during the 

 season." 



" Their first attempt resulted in infertile eggs; at the 

 second attempt two chicks were hatched, of which one was 

 fully reared." ' 



" Their third attempt again resulted in infertile eggs, 

 while two young birds were hatched from their fourth clutch 

 and appear likely to be fully reared, being now ten days 

 old." 



" These are charming birds, about half-an-inch longer 

 than the Cordon Bleu, from which they are easily distinguished 

 by the beak being of a dark horn colour. They are certainly 

 hardier than the closely allied species." 



Golden -breasted Waxbills: "These have nested several 

 times, one young bird was fully reared from the second nest, 



