8



Mr. J. Weir,



MY BULLFINCH.


By Miss D. Hussey Freke.


I reared my hen Bullfinch “ Loomoola ” from the nest, with

five others, from twelve days old. In the autumn I parted with the

five, and Loomoola being a hen I let her out of doors; but as she

repeatedly came back and was so very tame I decided to keep her.

She was seldom shut into her cage, but stayed in my bedroom—

always coming to me when I came in or called her. I was perfectly

devoted to the little treasure, and was quite miserable when, in the

second spring, she flew out of the window and remained out for a

fortnight. During that time I could never see her, and then one

afternoon I heard her calling in the kitchen garden. As I was ill

at the time I asked my mother to go and put the cage in the path

for her. The same afternoon she went in with delight, and mother

brought her in to me. In a few days’ time, to my astonishment and

delight, she began picking up all the bits of hair and fluff off the

carpet, and began building a nest on a bracket close to my bed,

placing it behind a china pot; the following week it was finished,

and she began to lay her eggs—five. I was fearfully excited to see

if she would hatch any of them, and in due time four little birds

appeared. I put soft food—egg, etc.—in a saucer, and she fed and

reared them all, and never minded a bit how many strangers came to

look at her. When they were able to fly I put them in a cage and

took them away. Alas, the following winter my absolute treasure

was trodden on, and died on Christmas Day. I have reared Bull¬

finches in quantities, but never had such a darling, or one that I was

quite so devoted to, as she knew my step, and the moment she heard

me come into the house she began calling, and would often fly out

into the hall to meet me coming up the stairs. I seldom came in

without bringing a berry or bit of evergreen for her.



HAMPSHIRE BIRDS.


By J. Weir.


The situation in which I live is suitable for observing bird life

as the country immediately surrounding is open, and there is gorse



