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her : her head was covered with blood, the skin of the crown

torn off and both eyes closed and swollen. She remained quite

blind for a fortnight, but managed to find her way to food, water,

and even to a high perch ; and so tough are these birds that, in

less than three weeks, she was in perfedt health though bald-

headed ; she however died about a week later.


Not only is the Saffron-finch vicious in its courtship, but

it is spiteful towards smaller associates in an aviary, and ever¬

lastingly disputing with and chasing members of its own species ;

yes even its own children as soon as they are strong on the wing.

It is therefore not to be recommended for amiability. Its song

is lively but ear-piercing and gritty, chiefly consisting of those

alluring sounds produced in mischief by school boys upon their

slates : the song is extremely rapid however, and to a person

with delicate nerves is most distracting. I do not mind it myself,

not being troubled with the affedtion known as ‘ teeth on edge.’


My Saffron-finches breed when they please and I do not

trouble about them, hast year their eggs were broken a good

deal, and probably the newly-hatched young eaten, by Manyar

Weavers ; but they brought up a nest of four or five : a second

brood was going on well, but the Weavers interfered, so that

only one bird left the nest about the first Sunday in the present

year.


It has been said of the Chaffinch, and of a few other birds

which furiously fight with their wives for supremacy, that they

pair in the air: they however do nothing of the kind, the earth

or a branch being used for the purpose ; but before the female

has learned that the male is her lord, the two birds (whether

they be Chaffinches or Saffron-finches) grip with claw and tear

with beak, until their wings become locked and they fall

helplessly to the ground, the shock usually serving to sober

them for a time ; but no sooner have they rested than they are

at it again hammer and tongs.


When rearing their young, my birds feed largely upon

soft food, a saucer of which stands in the aviary for the benefit

of a Liothrix. They eat their fill and then fly straight to the

nest-box to disgorge.


Sycalis fiaveola cannot be greatly recommended as an aviary

bird, although it undoubtedly keeps the place alive. It has some

pretensions to beauty and its eggs are rather prettily marked ;

but its song is not melodious, and although it will breed freely

the young are not readily saleable even at about half the usual

market price. Gaudiness of plumage, beauty of voice, or rarity



