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The Himalayan Siskin.



tory at all, excepting, perhaps, the Red or the Blue Bird of Paradise.

These seem to come out into the open much more than the others.

Even Mr. Ward, with his wide experience, says that he has never

seen a King Bird of Paradise in freedom. They must have long

flights and thick scrub aviaries for shelter. I am sure that, however

large a cage may be, if they are kept like Canaries they will not live

very long. They must have shelter : however little is given they

make the best of it. As to keeping them otherwise, as I do, I can

only say that I wished all my Soft-Bills would do as well.


I have asked Mr. Ward, who is again returning to New

Guinea, to try and get some information as to the nesting of the

various species of the Birds of Paradise, and I may be able to impart

some information on that point later on. Then some enthusiast at

home will perhaps make the experiment of trying to breed one or

the other species.



THE HIMALAYAN SISKIN (Chrysomitris

spinoides).


By W. Shore Baily.


This handsome Serin does not seem to he very often

imported, and when it does come over is frequently met in true

pairs. Coming as it does from the cold regions of the Himalaya, this

species is admirably suited for our aviaries, the variable English

climate having no ill-effect upon it. A pair bred with me last

season—being the first time in this country, I believe. They built

rather a neat little nest of dead grass, moss, and hair. Three eggs

were laid—bluish-white, with a few brown spots chiefly at the

larger end. The little ones spent rather a long time in the nest, and

I did not notice them on the wing until eighteen days later. As far

as I could see they lived entirely upon seed, both parents feeding

them after the first few days. When they had left the nest the

cock took the principal charge of them, and a very good father he

made. It was a pretty sight to see the young ones chasing their

father around and around their large flight. The young ones were



