228 FOREIGN FINCHES IN CAPTIVITY. 



white eggs, so beautifully translucent that the yolk is clearly seen 

 through the shell. When the young are fully fledged they accompany 

 their parents to the grain-fields, but continue to return to their nests 

 every evening, for a long time after they have left them entirely for 

 the day. 



" ' How they all manage to get in is wonderful ; the nest appears 

 perfectly full, and they seem to be restless and uncomfortable for some 

 minutes after entering. In the morning they fly out one by one ; those 

 that go first wait for the others on a bush close by ; when all are out, 

 away they fly in a flock, and are not visible near their nest during the 

 rest of the day. At one time, I counted no less than fourteen nests 

 of these birds in the trellis of our verandah and windows ; besides 

 these, there were others in the garden, on orange trees and scarlet 

 geraniums, which latter here often grow to the height of six and eight 

 feet. Natives frequently go to the nests of these birds during the 

 night and, suddenly shutting up the hole, carry off the nest with all 

 its contents, which sometimes amount to twelve birds, parents and 

 young included. 



" ' I have known instances of the House-Sparrow taking possession 

 of the Spotted Munias' nests. They wait till the latter have finished 

 building, and then (being much bolder birds) drive the poor Munias 

 away, and, adding to the warmth of the nest by a number of feathers, 

 appropriate it to their own use. On one occasion a pair of these 

 Munias had taken a fancy to the trellis at my window. When their 

 nest was completed, an impertinent cock Sparrow seemed determined 

 to take possession of it : but I was equally determined he should not. 

 After a good deal of trouble, the poor owners were again the proprietors 

 of their lawful abode. They appeared to be quite aware that I was 

 taking their part in the arbitration business, and would sit patiently 

 on a fuchsia bush close by till the case was decided. Sometimes one 

 of their own species would approach their building, but at these times 

 I considered them quite able to fight their own battles, and merely 

 looked on. They required no assistance, but would sit close to their 

 nest, cracking their mandibles to show how decidedly displeased they 

 were. This proceeding used often to have the effect of inducing their 

 unwelcome visitor to take his departure ; but if he did not think of 

 going soon, they would fly at him and use their bills to such purpose 

 as to make him glad to be oft". 



" ' Yet, notwithstanding that these little birds are so tenacious of 

 their rights, when invaded by their own species, they are easily intimi- 

 dated by any strange and unexpected object. A few articles of furniture 



