PASSERIFORMES 177 



bird-fanciers have bred canaries in their aviaries, and have given the 

 birds freedom to come and go as soon as the eggs were hatched. 

 Apparently, however, the domestic cat is an insuperable obstacle to 

 their establishment. The canary is such an artificial, domesticated 

 and closely-inbred species, that it would apparently take some genera- 

 tions of birds to acquire habits tending to its self-preservation. 



In concluding this list of birds, it may be mentioned that the 

 Otago Society many years ago introduced and liberated what were 

 termed diamond-eared finches and jager birds. The former may 

 have been the diamond sparrow (Steganopleura guttatd) referred to 

 previously. But I have not the slightest idea what the last named 

 bird is. Neither species was heard of again. 



