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remaining lien saw the new arrival she promptly “ went for

him,” but he did not allow himself to be bullied and kept “ the

lady” in her place. After a week I put back the second hen,

when the cock started making advances to her almost diredtly,

and those two seemed to think they might start a nest.


About 3ft. off the floor, I had hung a small box in which

my only pair of African Fire-finches had built a nest, and the

hen had laid four eggs and started to sit. What must that pair

of Cordons do, but decide upon that box for their nest, and

there was a great scrimmage, but the Fire-finches were driven

out by the Cordons who did not even go into the box, but stayed

close by all day and defied the owners to return. Towards

evening the Fire-finches started carrying hay into a straw

basket-nest a little higher up, but it was no use, the Cordons

kept them out of that too. I tried to catch the offending pair,

but they were so quick and it frightened the other birds so, I let

them be, but very easily caught the Fire-finches and transferred

them and their basket to a large cage, where they built a nest ;

the hen laid nine eggs but would not sit, and the other morning

I found her dead—egg bound.


To return to the Cordons, they have not yet decided which

box or basket they will have.


My small experience of these pretty little birds is that they

are quite capable of holding their own (especially the hens) with

birds of their own size and a little larger. The “ singing” hen, the

other morning, saw the cock Bearded Tit take a mealworm from

the dish ; up she hops, seizes the other end of the worm and

pulls ; the Tit also pulls, and the poor mealworm comes in half,

and off go both the birds, each (I am sure) thinking the other

defeated.


Note. — With reference to the delicacy or otherwise of the Cordou-bleu, my

experience is that there is great difference in different specimens. I have a cock which for

seven and a half 3'ears has never ailed, but which has lost eight wives in succession.—

Editor. _


THE INDIAN GOOSANDER.


From the Proceedings , Asiatic Society of Bengal, for March, 189S.


Mr. F'rank Finn, Deputy Superintendent of the Indian

Museum, exhibited a living specimen ot the Indian Goosander

(Merganser comatus ), and read the following note on its walking

powers.


The specimen of the Indian Goosander (Merganser comatus

Salvadori) which I have the honour of exhibiting to-night has

been very kindly lent to me for the purpose b} r Mr. W. Rutledge,



