The poet, after relating how two Goldfinches lived

together in a cage, and how one of them succeeded in escaping,

continues thus : —


" The open windows seemed to invite

The freeman to a farewell flight ;


But Tom was still confined.

And Dick, although his way was clear,

Was much too generous and sincere


To leave his mate behind.


" So settling on his cage, by play,

By chirp and kiss, he seemed to say


'You must not live alone.'

Nor would he quit that chosen stand

Till I, with slow and cautious hand,

> Removed him to his own."



THE GREY JAVA SPARROW.


(Munia oryzivo7'a).

By Wesley T. Page.


This common bird scarcely needs description. It is about

five inches long — body three inches, tail two inches — heavily

built almost to clumsiness, and yet graceful and sprightly in its

movements.


The beak is thick and heavy and of a bright rose colour,

shading almost to white at the tip. The head, rump, tail, and

larger wing feathers are black, cheeks white and very sharply

outlined, the other parts of the plumage being lighter or darker

purplish grey, legs and feet, flesh colour.


In good condition it is tightly and compactly feathered, so

much so that it is difficult to individualise the feathers, but the

plumage appears one level, smooth garment, covered with a

bloom, similar to that seen on ripe grapes and plums, and this, in

spite of sharp contrasts, gives it quite a taking and masher-like

appearance.


Sexes are exactly alike in plumage, but the hen is

generally a little smaller, flatter on the crown, and, when closely

observed, particularly from the side, her beak is narrower and

more pointed.


Java Sparrows are found in Java, Japan, China, and

Southern India, where they commit great havoc in the rice fields,"

rice being their principal food in a state of nature ; in confine-

ment millet and canary seed will be sufiicient, with a little soft



