184 Early Notes of the Season. 



the first season that this species has nested with me, and two 

 pairs built, laid and commenced to incubate in the early days 

 of June — one pair in a Hartz cage, in the shelter, and the 

 other pair high up under the eaves of the aviary. On June 

 25th I had a look at the nest in the Hartz-cage and could 

 find no trace of either eggs or young, though previously I 

 had -seen the eggs (exactly the same result has followed the 

 nesting operations of a pair of Cuban Finches in the same 

 aviary) : I do jiot know what is in the other nest as it is 

 very difficult of access, but as this pair are still very anxious 

 for live food there may be young there, at least I hope so. 

 This nest is high up under the eaves at the back of a tall 

 privet bush, and. I can't get to it. The first pair of Reed- 

 lings have built again; outside this time and quite low down, 

 so I shall be able to watch their operations. 



Yellow-throated Sparrow x Desert Trumpeter 

 Bullfinch (Gymnor/i/s flavicoLiis x Erythrospiza githagi- 

 nea) : This odd-assorted pair duly mated up and spent some 

 time in nest construction and later a clutch of four eggs was 

 laid, I think now there must be young in the nest, as this 

 evening (June 27), I saw the Sparrow take a gentle to the 

 nest and leave it there, but could not see what took place. 

 If reared it will be of some interest to see v/hat sort of young 

 sudh a crioss produces. 



Malabar Starlings (Polwpsar maLabaricus) : These 

 charming and handsome birds went to nest in a barrel, high 

 up, and duly hatched out young, cannot say how many, some 

 are still living. The old birds clear all comers away from the 

 piece of open grass near their nest, and have sparring matches 

 with the Cardinals; if he or she is getting worsted, whichever 

 it is calls out, and the other at once comes and lends a hand 

 ten drive ofi the enemy, and then gabble away to each other 

 their congratulations. I aXn expectantly awaiting the emerg- 

 ence of the young, which apparently are always hungry. 



Young Long-tailed Grassfinches and Diamond Spar- 

 rows are flying about fully reared, and more have just left 

 the nest. 



Of all my many species of Doves and Pigeons, only 



