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The following reply was sent to Mrs. Rotcli :


The exquisite little bird which you forwarded to me is the Wood

Warbler, or Wood Wren as it is often called, Fhylloscopus sibilatrix, one of

our regular summer visitors, arriving about the end of April and departing

in September. It is a charming little bird, keeps a good deal to the woods,

and builds large semi-domed grass nests on or very near the ground, often

cleverly concealed. It is the larger of three allied species which visit us

ever}' summer, the other two being the Willow Warbler (or Willow Wren),

and the familiar Chiffchaff. Doubtless this was a case of an nnmated male

approaching too near to the female or nesting-site of a more fortunate

rival, who gave chase with murderous intentions.


Reginald Phillipps.



THE PARSON FINCH.


Sir, —I enclose a rough water-colour sketch of two small birds; one

died, but the other I still have. They were bought in Malta, and sent to

me about eighteen months ago. Will you kindly tell me if they are

Weaver Finches, and where their native home is; also if they are

common, and if it would be likely I could easily get a mate in England for

the one I have left. I keep it in a cage in the sitting-room ; although I

have an outdoor aviary, I have never liked to put them there, knowing so

little about them. As far as I could tell, they were both alike in plumage ;

the bird I have still sings seven or eight sweet notes constantly, so I conclude

it is the male ? I will feel much obliged for any information about these

birds. M. H. Woods.



The following reply was sent to Miss Woods :


The sketch which accompanied your letter enables me to see at a

glance that your bird is the Parson Finch (Poephila cincta); and, as it sings,

it is almost certainly a male. It is common in some parts of Australia,

where it is usually known as the Black-throated Grassfinch. It is not a

Weaver, although it builds large bulky, covered nests, laying white eggs.

From time to time, large numbers reach this country ; but many die soon

after arrival, through not being kept warm enough. When acclimatized,

they are fairly hardy, but not so hardy as is usually represented. When

not over exposed, they will live for many years. During the summer, they

do very much better in a moderately protected outdoor aviary than in a

cage in the house. Like Australian birds generally, they want to nest

during our cold season. It is a mistake to permit this. Do not allow them

to nest until about the middle of May ; place a few covered nest-boxes

about, in sheltered private places, give them plenty of hay, dried grasses,

and a few small feathers, and pretend not to see or know anything about

the nest, and they will breed fairly freely. The chief points in my opinion

are — not to let them nest during the winter (if necessary, separate the

birds), and not to go near the nest. The more it is hidden away the better.


But I am premature. You can certainly obtain a female Parson

Finch, but you may have to wait, which is unfortunate, as a new bird

ought not to be allowed to nest until quite strong. It is difficult to

distinguish the sexes, often very difficult. The song is the best sign of

distinction, but birds will not sing to order. Sometimes the black throat-

patch is distinctly larger in the male; and usually lie is a more perky,



