52 Correspondence . 



stead towards dusk. 'J'hcy have favourite perrhing-jjlaces close 

 to the house. On e.xcellent terms with the lady who won them 

 with kindness, the birds will have nothing to do with strangers. 

 They were suspicious of tKp camera, and nearly an hour was 

 occuDied in obtainin.L; a iihotograph, which includes only two 

 birds. 



At this pleasant homestead 1 would gladly have Img- 

 ered but plans had to be carried out, and we were on the 

 track before noon of the second day. Tliiit is one of the 

 penalties; of making even little journeys. One meets friendly 

 folk for a day or two then it is good-bye. Welcome and 

 farewell. It is the same with places. A spot where one has 

 rested or seen some rare bird, flower, or e.xquisite group of 

 trees, becomes fixed in memory; it may never be visited 

 again. This is rather a qua-nt ending to an article on Galah. 

 trapping; but then, you know, I am a chronicler of impres- 

 sions 



Correspondence. ^ 



INDIGO X i\0.\PARL:IL bunting tiVHRlDS. 



Sir, -It may ba of interest to state that I caged one of these 

 hybrids, It is a dock, a charming, tame little bird. 



Already he shows much blue in his plumage, chiefly on the head, 

 throat, and back. The belly is clear yellow, and the breast yellow flecked 

 with blue. I think that long before three years he will be in adult 

 plumage 



He sings very .sweetly, and his song is ntuch more sustained than 

 that of his Indigt' father. The latter's song always reminds m<; of that 

 of our Chaffinch. 



The other hvbrid is outside with a hen Ni>n]iartil, wiili i\hich I 

 hope he may pair. 



I fear they will be agressivc birds in a mixed aviary my caged 

 bird, which is often let out in the room, persecutes ;i Roller Canary, 

 when they are loose together. 



Ashmansworth, 3i/'i/'i6. BERNARD C. THOMASSET. 



1 The Indigo is evidently dominant in these hybrids ; but as many 

 Nonpareils which- have been imported into this country in nesting plumage, do 

 not come into full colour (adult plumage) till the second or third nimilt fol- 

 lowing their importation, it is just possible that more of the Nonpareil may 

 be indicated in their plumage after later moults — we hope Mr. Thomasset 

 may lie abU: to kee[) them long enough to show whether such is the case 

 or not. — El).] 



