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way. First figure — cock takes position (i), straight to 

 the front ; hen takes position (2), in a listening attitude, 

 also straight to her front. Second figure — cock takes 

 position (2), hen takes (i). Third and final figure — 

 Cock takes position (3) turned towards the hen, 

 hopping violently ; hen takes position (2) with tail 

 quivering. Often the hen flies off iu the middle of 

 the show, when the irate cock hunts her all over the 

 place. I have not often seen the pairing this year, but 

 I have never seen it without the preliminar}^ ceremony 

 in full. I should mention that in position (3) the face- 

 mask is puffed out in a curious manner. The above 

 is taken from notes of last year, and I have since 

 noticed that some birds take position (i) in a crouching, 

 not in an erect attitude. 



The Gouldian in the moult is uninteresting, small 

 blame to him ; but at other times he (and she) is 

 charming. In my rather limited experience I have 

 found them, when once acclimatised, hardy and able 

 to stand pretty severe cold, requiring no special treat- 

 ment or food. They soon become quite fearless of 

 their human friends, and are not quarrelsome with 

 their bird companions. He, though standing no non- 

 sense from even Java Sparrows and liking his own 

 corners to himself, has no revengeful spirit, and 

 contents himself with driving off the intruder. She 

 is much quieter, but harbours a more revengeful 

 spirit when a stranger has peered into her nest. This 

 is the only occasion on which she shows fight, but 

 then she is not contented till she has a few of the 

 intruder's feathers. Near the Gouldian nests, within a 

 foot or two there are, or have been, nests of Spice 

 Birds, Three-coloured Nuns, Zebra Finches, Benga- 

 lese. Long-tailed Grassfinches, Red Avadavats, and 

 Diamond Sparrows. Other Gouldians are barred 

 within 5ft. at least. The male bird is very inquisitive, 

 but is a gentleman as to nests occupied by other birds. 



