[S



given) and the larger and deeper coloured “ bib” of the male is sufficient to

enable one to decide the point. The plumage generally may be described

as grey, tinged with green, chin and throat black, the wings and tail are a

mixture of dusky black, grey, and yellow; the legs are small and delicate.


It will thus be seen that the Grey Wagtail is a bird of no mean order

of beauty, while its gracefulness is simply indescribable, and the undulations

of the abnormally long tail, which seems to act as a counterpoise to the slim

and delicatelj^ formed body, do much to enhance its attractiveness.


The specimen in my possession at the present time is confined in an

aviary about six feet long by four feet high and wide, with a furze bush at

each end, on the top of which it likes to perch. It has for companions, a

Wheatear, a Whinchat, and a Titlark, and during the three months it has

been in captivity it has thrived well on a diet of ant’s eggs, hard-boiled egg,

and stale bread crumbs in about equal parts, with half-a-dozen or so meal¬

worms daily. It soon became tame, and lives on perfectly amicable terms

with its companions.


I have not heard of these birds breeding in confinement, except at the

Zoological Gardens, London, where there is a very fine hybrid between the

Grey and the Pied species.


There is another species of the Grey Wagtail called the Grey-headed,

M. ?mrlecta, but it is not, I believe, indigenous to Western Europe, and is

considered by some authorities to be only a variety of the Grey Wagtail

proper.


The Secretary would be glad to hear from any Members willing to contribute to this

series.



CORRESPONDENCE.



HAWKS AND GULLS.


Sir, — While walking last November near one of the beautiful bays in

Guernsey, I saw eight gulls feeding in a field. As I stopped to watch them,

a kestrel, which I had previously noticed roaming along the cliffs, suddenly

appeared, and seemingly attracted by the gulls, remained suspended over

them, supported by its outspread tail and quivering wings, in the manner

peculiar to that bird. The gulls, evidently not liking this attention, dashed

off, and endeavoured to mount above the hawk. It was a lovely sight, the

white plumage of the gulls as they wheeled round and round, rising at a

great pace, and the kestrel always above them; the skv cloudless. I

watched them till my eyes ached, when they were the tiniest specks on the

bright blue. Can you tell me if kestrels will attack gulls, and was it fear on

the part of the latter that caused them to behave as I saw them ?


- A. Crafer.


GOULDIAN FINCHES.


Sir, — Miss Llewelyn asks: — “Should Gouldian Finches be kept

warm ? ” My own experience goes to prove that a medium temperature

is best for them ; but they cannot stand the direct rays of the sun. I

believe I lost the little cock of my first pair through not knowing this.

He was in beautiful plumage, and appeared in perfect health, when

suddenly one day it was evident that something was the matter, and soon

after he died. I quite believe it was a sort of sunstroke. After this I

noticed, with others I had caged in the winter, that they always shewed

signs of distress if the sun was shining diredtly upon them.


I have been told that they are found among the long grass and reeds

of marsh-lands in Australia, where, of course, the air would be damp ; so

that probably a very dry atmosphere would not suit them.


Mine never shewed the least sign of suffering from cold, and when

the cold of winter came, and I brought them from the aviary to the house,

it was done rather for my owu satisfaction than because they appeared to



