33


omitted to mention that the house is fitted with a good supply

of hot water pipes.


I have had no breeding results here yet, the arrangements

being onty completed late in the autumn.


At present one aviary is occupied by a collection of

Waxbills and the smallest Finches. Another by Zosterops,

Superb and Scarlet Tanagers, Persian and Red-vented Bulbuls,

and Pekin Robins. The third contains several Weavers,

Cardinals, and a cock Black - tailed Hawfinch. A Chinese

Laughing Thrush (whose song, especially early in the morning,

is almost deafening) and a Blue-winged Green Bulbul, each

have a cage to themselves. The Bulbul was originally in the

soft-billed birds’ aviary, but had to be removed on account of

his quarrelsome disposition. A Shama also has a cage to him¬

self: the merits of this bird are so well known that I need not

describe them.


Conspicuous among the occupants of the other cages is a

pair of Parrot Finches. Contrary to Mr. Fillmer’s experience,

my birds will not touch paddy rice. Although they do not

behave as affectionately to each other as many of the small

Finches, I have often noticed them sitting close together on the

same perch. They have lately shown a disposition to nest, but I

have not thought it advisable to encourage them at this

unfavourable season of the year.


A small cage, in a warm corner, holds a pair of Orange¬

breasted Waxbills which should have bred, but they have shown

no disposition to do so. I have given them a basket nest in a

small bush, and tried to stimulate them with ants’ eggs and yolk

of egg, but all in vain : they never touch anything but the

usual seeds.


A pair of Red-headed Gouldian Finches in one of the

large cages, which I have had since April, have also never

attempted to nest, though supplied with everything needful.

They are in perfedt health. I consider the song of the cock

bird very pleasant, though low it is very sweet; his love-dance,

which I have only observed on one occasion, consists of a series

•of perpendicular hops up and down on the perch.


Among the Cardinals, is a Texan or Small-billed Cardinal.

Though perhaps not so striking in colour as his congeners, his

dark grey plumage touched with red, and red-suffused breast,

make him a rather handsome bird; his crest is grey, also tinged

with red, and is more constantly carried eredt than is the case

■with the other crested Cardinals. He is extremely fond of



