190 Visits to Alcm/wrs' Aviaries ami Bird rooms. 



Helena Waxbills ; ;uk1 Indian White-eyes. 



There are young Zebra Finches' galore and a pk-as- 

 ing picture they made, parents and young, some of the latter 

 still being fed 'arid' others cjuite independent and assisting 

 their parents with their latest babies. Another pleasing suc- 

 cess has been the rearing !of a brood of six young Rufous- 

 tailed Grassfinches, and a fascinating 'sight the family party 

 was — all are still (July 27) living and fine strong young birds. 

 The other records have nqt so pleasant an ending, as they 

 form part of the "ail-but" successes already referred to. A 

 pair of Melba Finches nested in the outside flight in one of 

 the bushes, and duly hatched out four healthy chicks; all went 

 well for ten days, when, three of them were picked up dead 

 in various parts of the aviary and one found dead in the 

 nest — storms and cold nights were -the suspected cause. Blue- 

 broasted Waxbills, similarly Inested and hatched out two young 

 (birds, one of which was ultimately found beneath the nest and 

 the other hanging out of" ithe nest, both dead of course — in 

 this case the interference of other birds (St. Helena Waxbills) 

 is isuspected. The writer is of the opinion that had the flight 

 been larger, and with an abundance of natural cover, both the 

 Melba Finches and Blue-breasted Waxbills \vould have suc- 

 cessfully brought up their broods; 'as he noticed considerable 

 competition among the birds for the existing cover, How- 

 ever it is not all discouragement, as Lady Samuclson is the 

 fortunate possessor of breeding pairs. 



All the birds;! were fin the pink of condition, and I 

 do not remember to have seen a richer coloured or liner speci- 

 men in any way than the cock Melba Finch. The young 

 Rufous-tails were just beginning tO; show a little red about 

 the head. 



The other (smaller) aviaries were occupied by Canaries, 

 Goldfinches, Pekin Robins, and Diamond Sparrows. The 

 Pekin Robins and Diamond Sparrow are indefatigable at 

 nesting and incubating, but so far, Avithout any definite result. 



Lieut. Bainbridge's Aviaries: I had the pleasure of 

 spending July 20 and 21 iwith my colleague and fellow avicul- 

 turist, who was enjoying a bhort furlough from his duties at 



