ii6 



two eggs from Grey x Pope Cardinals, which duly hatched out, but the 

 old birds would not feed. Unfortunately this is the usual result with all the 

 Cardinals in mixed series. 



Abnormal Yellow - rumped Finch : Messrs. Payue 



and Wallace have just sent me an abnormally-plumaged Yellow-rumped 

 Finch (Munia flavipryinna). The bird, which appears to be an adult, has the 

 Tvhole of the under surface of body, except the vental region, but little 

 lighter than tliat of the upper surface, which is typical ; the whole of the 

 head is a sort of leaden-grey ; the rump and upper tail-coverts, which in 

 typical specimens are straw-yellow, are deep refulgent golden-chestnut; tail 

 feathers, deep ruddy-brown. The above is inserted in the hope that if any 

 of our members possess abnormally plumaged specimens, they will give an 

 account of same. I shall hope to make further comments when the bird has 

 "been longer under observation. 



Delicacy of Firefinches : on another page win be 



found Mr. Fillmer's interesting communication on the " Delicacy of Fire- 

 finches," called forth by Mr.Teschemaker's humane sentiments in "Nesting 

 Notes" in our April issue. I have many records by me from various 

 correspondents, who have found Cordon IJleus, Firefinches and Pintail 

 Nonpareils hardy when kept in an out-door aviary all the year round (one 

 «uch record will appear in July issue), and from aviculturists living in the 

 far north as well as from those in the south. Personally I have never kept 

 ■either of the species named, because of the numbers that perish before a few 

 healthy pairs are accliniati.sed, and I am of the strong opinion that, under 

 these circumstances, unless they can either be imported privately, or ujider 

 different conditions than exist at present, aviculturists should deny them- 

 selves the pleasure of seeing these avian gems adorn their aviaries and 

 cages. 



Small Birds' House at the Zoo : with this issue 



appears an illustration of the interior of the New Bird House, now 

 definitely named Small Birds' House. While many cages are still unoccupied 

 there are many handsome and interesting birds among its inmates, which 

 include good series of Tanagers and the genus Spermophila. Readers are 

 referred to Mr. Goodchild's article, "The New Bird House," in our April 

 issue. 



Humming - Birds at the Zoo : captain Pam, 



associated with his brother, Mr. H. Pam, has successfully imported and 

 presented to the Zoological .Society twenty Humming Birds, consisting of 

 "the following species: — Amazilia felici'ce, Ruby-crests (Ckiysolampis 

 moschitus). Blue-chinned Sapphires (Eucephala cosmla), OSnone Humming 

 Bird (Chtysorom'a cenone), and Prevost's Humming Birds {Lampornis 

 'frevosii). They arrived on Monday, May 25th. On the following Saturday 

 when saw them there were but twelve or thirteen left, and the impression 

 felt was that very few ot them would be alive a week hence. They were in a 

 somewhat gummy condition, rendering it difficult to realise their extreme 



