i82 Breeding of the Blaek-taUcd Hazvfineh 



head. !-;"ivin_q" tlieni a rather extraordinary appearance. When 

 they were a week old the first disaster occurred; the old birds 

 standini^- on the ed,^'e of the nest to feed the younjj;" caused it to 

 colla])se and one of the little ones fell ont and was devoured by 

 a mouse. Its ]Mn feathers were then just beginning" to show. I 

 fixed up the nest, all went well for a day or two, but on going 

 into the aviary on the morning of the i2th. the old birds greeted 

 me with disconsolate peets instead of with their usual cheery 

 song. On examining the nest, I found one of the young ones 

 dead, with its abdomen punctured. It was well nourished and 

 nearly completely feathered, and 1 am at a loss to know what 

 caused its death. The hen hawfinch did not go near the nest 

 again and did all she could to prevent the cock frcfm doing so, 

 making most violent love to him. However, he resisted all her 

 blandishments and fed the surviving youngster with the greatest 

 assiduity, and at this time I had every expectation of fully 

 rearing it, as it looked very strong and vigorous. Its voice 

 could now be heard at quite a distance. Whilst it had a compan- 

 ion in the nest, it had been silent. On the 15th. it left the nest, 

 but although it could climb very well, it was still unable to fly, 

 its flight feathers not being fully grown. Its colour was dark 

 grey with breast, two wing bars, and tips of flights white. Legs 

 and bill flesh coloured. The cock still fed it almost entirely on 

 mealworms. Although gentles were supplied, these were 

 appnrently not much relished. A little hempseed, a food of 

 which the parents are very fond, was also given. It was still fed 

 from the crop, which seems to me rather unusual, as most other 

 young birds of this age would be getting unbroken insects etc. 

 Just at this time my supply of mealworms began to give out, so 

 I was unable to supply them so freely as I could have wished, 

 but luckily there were a good many moths and similar insects 

 al)out, with which the cock did his best to satisfy the voracious 

 appetite of his offspring. I also noticed the hen catching and 

 feeding the cock with them, thus giving the youngster a double 

 supply. Alas! the old fellow's efforts were in vain. On the 

 evening of the i8th. the young one left its shelter, and selected 

 the highest and most exposed part of the aviary to roost in. 

 I suppose that I ought to have replaced it. but it looked so 

 satisfied with its perch, putting on quite an ' I'm the King of 



