Hybrid Breeding. 



15 



different i"n colour to the first bird, br^ing much more ruddy 

 on the back; but for the fact that it was nearly twice as 

 big, it might easily have been mistaken for an adult common 

 hen Sparrow. I am hoping that it may meet witli no acci- 

 dents and turn out to< be a male,, as it might then be a 

 rather pretty bird. 



Other curious matings here this season were a 

 cock Tovi, with a hen Ring-neck Parrakeet, Three 

 eggs were laid from this union, in one of my special nest- 

 boxes (see figure) but all proved infertile. The cock Tovi, 



Spefinl H:tn)ii-l\ pe Ntst-lmx. 



although less than half tlu- size of the Ringneck and Mous- 

 tache Parrakeets in the aviary with him, defended his mate 

 most gallantly. He spent much of his time, whilst th:- hen 

 was sitting, in the mouth of th<' nesting-box. from wh'ch 

 coign of vantage he sallied forth against all and sundry that 

 ventured near, screaming lustily the while. Me regularly 

 fed the hen whilst she was on the nest and it is a great 

 pity that their joint efforts were not better rewarded. 



