8



Parson-finches, also most charming birds, have nested

freely, but have not produced any young.


I can say with truth that, out of sixty birds in my small

aviary, there is not one really quarrelsome.


CHAFFINCH NESTING IN CAPTIVITY.


f F ring ilia ccelebs ).


By W. T. Page, F.Z.S.


The birds, both male and female, were trapped three years

ago in the garden, and have been undisturbed in their present

quarters ever since ; as regards the male he was caught just after

the first moult, and was in possession of the light grey mark on

the head (common to all) running longitudinally from the centre

of the crown to the base of the neck, which he did not lose till

after the third moult, and was then in splendid trim with

brilliant and perfedt markings.


By the way, do Chaffinches breed in a state of nature

before they lose the aforementioned marks ?(<z). It appears to me

that they are not fully adult till after the third moult, when these

marks are lost and they are in full adult plumage, when they would

be between two and three years old ; this I cannot confirm, but I

know this, my male totally ignored the hen till that time, though

she courted his notice, built each year, and laid several clutches

of infertile eggs.


Before passing to the actual fadt, I would like to say that

though the swooping flights and violent courtships, common to

them were indulged in, so much so, that by the time they were

fully paired both bore marks of the conflict they had been

through, yet there were no attempts at copulation in the air

(though they had the space) ; it took place sometimes on the

ground, but most often in the branches ; this was alwaj^s followed

by a sort of gurgling rattle on the part of the male, also

occasionally indulged in when chasing the hen ; for myself I do

not believe the Chaffinch ever copulates in the air. ( b ).


Now for the nesting. Immediately they were paired, the

hen began to build in an earthenware nest-bowl hung close

against the roof, the male gave her but little assistance, carrying

a few straws during the whole of the process; materials used

Were fresh grass, hay, groundsel stems and down, and a few

feathers; four eggs were laid of the usual type; incubation



(a). They certainly do.



{6). They do not.—E. G. B. M.-W.



