82 



young have been reared. I felt, after the first brood 

 lived to be nearly a month old that they were safe, but 

 the hen brought them out from the nest in her wings 

 and they were killed, however I must keep on hoping 

 for better luck next time, as the Tanagers have gone 

 to nest again and the hen has laid one egg, and I am 

 thankful to say in quite a different part of the aviary, 

 not so high up, so that possibly things will turn out 

 better this time. 



i:- ■Sr H- 



General: The season is a little early, but I have 

 some other little birds just able to leave the nest, and 

 to begin to fly about, viz., Budgerigars, White Java 

 Sparrows, Cutthroats, and some little Waxbills, all 



doing well. I feel I have began the season very well. 

 * Iff * 



Rufous-backed Mannikins. 



My delight and surprise were great, when I dis- 

 covered that my little Rufous-backed Mannikins had 

 started nesting.* I may say these are in a cage, not 

 loose in the aviary. How very pretty the little hen 

 looks in her little basket nest, with the cock keeping 

 guard on the top of the basket. I wonder if any 

 others have began to nest, or if mine are the first pair 

 to do so? About ten years ago these were quite 

 common and could be bought for 6/6 a pair. 



[There have been none on the market for quite a 

 number of years, and on their reintroduction last year 

 were sold at 50/- a pair, though some were sold quite 

 cheaply before their species was recognised. — Ed.] 



* Mr. Teschemaker has a pair of this species engaged iu incubation, 

 iu his out-door aviary. — Ed. 



