15


to establish themselves round the aviary, and these destroyed the

eg^s. A third nest of eggs was, unfortunately, wastedbysomeyoung

Goldfinches and Greenfinches which had been bred also. During

the time the hen Serin was sitting and the young being fed, the

cock spent the whole of his time in fighting, chiefl}^ with a cock

Goldfinch. At other times the quietest and most peaceable bird

alive, lie now was a regular nuisance — he fought till he had no

feathers on head or breast, and looked a thorough wreck. The

young, on leaving the nest, were brown — a good deal like Red-

polls ; but have now acquiredthe yellow markings of adult birds,^

though not quite so bright.


On the 26th May I was both surprised and pleased to see a

wild male Serin pay them a visit. It stayed about the aviary

most of the morning, having a wash in a brook which runs close

by. I heard it singing in some tall oaks in the afternoon, after

which I saw it no more. I imagine this species visits Britain

more often than is supposed, for it would probably not be noticed

by anj'-one unacquainted with its song.



AVICULTURAL SMALL-TALK,



We are afraid that most of the members never read the " Notices to-

Members" which appear inside the cover of the Magazine. Much of the

matter printed there is of a formal character, and is reproduced month

after montli without alteration, but almost every month there is some

special notice which members would do well to read.



It is very unfortunate that the plate to accompany Dr. Butler's article

ou the Chinese Quail, and which is intended to form the frontispiece to our

fourth volume, is not ready, and has to be held over till next month. The

hand-colouring process is a lengthy one, and cannot be hurried. The

Secretar}' will do all in his power to secure the punctual appearance of the

other plates, but it is more than probable that some of these will be

delayed also.



While on the subject of plates, we may as well remind members that

those who want hand-coloured copies should give notice to the Secretary at

once. And it would save time and trouble if they would at the same time

send the special subscription of 5/- for the colouring. This will in every

case be expected to be paid before the ist of Januar3\ Those members who

subscribed for the coloured plates last year will be assumed to wish for

them this year unless they intimate the contrar}-.



It is a rather remarkable thing that none of our smaller British birds

of the soft-food sort take ver}' kindly to captivity, while many little soft-

billed foreign birds are hardy and long-lived in the aviary. The difference



