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My first young ones were two mules from a male Green Singing

Finch and female Grey. They were hatched early in April, and developed

into fine sprightly birds, with but a faintly perceptible trace of their father

about them. The same pair reared two young ones last year. They are

verj 7 poor nest builders : making a slight open nest that is verj 7 apt to let

the 3'oung ones fall out before they can fly.


The only other jmungster from our small foreign section has been a

Zebra Finch, the only one from two pairs.


In previous years we have had Ribbon Finches (4), Parson Finches

(4), and St. Helena Waxbills (6).


Of Budgerigars we have had a considerable number from two pairs,

I cannot say how many ; but the larger proportion of them were from one

pair. The Cockatiels were a long time settling down, and ultimately

brought out two fine young ones. The White-headed Love Birds have

made a great show, but have produced no young ; last year they laid some

eggs which did not hatch.


Silver Pheasants (6), Golden ditto (3), hatched under Bantams.


The Saffron Finches have reared three fine young ones, making their

nest in a hollow log. A first nest was built in a gorse-bush, but nothing

resulted. In other years the same log has been used b} 7 other individuals of

the same species. They generally breed late in the season.


Red-crested Cardinals, six hatched in two nests from same pair; four

left the nest, but did not live.


With the British birds the results this year have been very discourag¬

ing, three nests of Greenfinches being the sum total. These birds breed

like mice. In previous years we have done well with Goldfinches, Bull¬

finches, and Brown Linnets; rearing fine, strong young birds.


One A 7 ear we had young mules hatched from a male Pied Wagtail and

a female Grey, but they were not reared. The nest was built in the corner

of the husk-tray, beneath a seed hopper from which most of the other birds

obtained their food regularly and which the attendant had to replenish

frequently. The hen bird was very tame; she disappeared unaccountably

soon after being transferred to our new pool aviary, when that was

first stocked; probably an early victim to the rats—the greatest of my

“difficulties.” Charles L. Rothera.



Sir, —It may interest some of the members of the Avicultnral

Society to hear the result of breeding from Yellow Budgerigars. My

Yellow Budgerigars went to nest last month and have reared two \ r ery

fine young ones, both of a very light j^ellow colour. One more died in the

nest—that also was yellow 7 .


I should like to know if any of the other members have bred from a

pair of Yellows, and if so, with what result as regards the colour of the

offspring.


I have also reared trvo fine Peach-faced Love Birds—these are from

my Brighton and Palace Avinners. It is Avorthy of note that the parents

Avere disqualified at Norwich Show, on the ground that they were two

cocks!


My Cherry Finches have brought up one young one—another died in

the nest. J. Cronkshaw.



