264 Unique Hybrid. 



An Unique Hybrid. 



By Fl.-Lt. R. S. De Q. Quincey, R.N.A.S, 



When at home, on leave, I noticed that my one re- 

 maining hybrid Parson X Long- tailed Grasshnch (c^) was 

 taking' a lot of interest in a nes! of sticks |and hay that he had 

 built in a Hartz-cage (hanging outside the birdroom in the 

 bottom aviary) ; but as he had built many nests at odd times, 

 I gave the occurrence only passing notice, even when 1 saw 

 an odd hen Ruficauda Finch at the same nest. 



However, on the last day but one of my leave, I heard 

 an unusual noise (a noise which no bird in that aviary would 

 make) and sooq I saw a small drab-coloured bird, obviously 

 one which had just left the nest. At once I thought of the 

 hybrid and the Ruficauda, and at .the same moment down came 

 the male hybrid, which began to feed the infant. About a 

 minute later the Ruficauda Finch joined these two. 



There could be no doubt about its parentage, though 

 a double cross, almong finch-like 'birds, is,, I believe, almost un- 

 heard of. 



On a closer inspection, at an age, I imagine, of about 

 18-20 days, this bird appeared to be drab-brown above, with 

 a black beak, eye-line and bib (about the same size as the 

 bib of a Bib Finch); while below it appeared to be a dirty 

 greyish colour with a faint green tinge (I believe the latter 

 has now become more distinct). 



A letter from home, dated October 1 3th, states that 

 this young Taird is fending for itself, and Hying in and out of 

 the bird-room. 



The other occupants of the aviary are : a crowd of 

 Gouldian Finches, a Flair-crested Bunting, a pair of Indian 

 Red-headed Bullfinches and a hen Orange Weaver. 



I was very much surprised and jnuch regretted that I 

 had not been able to see the whole lepisode. I imagine such a 

 cross is very unusual, probably unique— though of course, a 

 Parson Finch looks very much like a Long-tailed Grass- 

 finch, at an>- rate iii colouration. j 



