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of Crimson Finches, which had lived together for more than a year in

perfect friendship, from their usual cage to a smaller one. The next

morning I found the cock had most cruelly attacked and nearty killed the

hen, apparently because he did not like the change of residence.


C. S. Simpson.



THE “ LONG-TAILED COMBASOU.”


Sir,—U nless I am very blind, Mr. Fulljames’ bird is not wholly dark,

but has white at any rate on the flanks; and I take it to be a specimen of

the Resplendent Wlivdah, Vidua hypocherina (<?).


Will not Mr. Fulljames, in the cause of aviculture, give us further

particulars, and especially of the changes of plumage—if any ?


And cannot Mr. Farrar sa}' whether there are, or were, any white

feathers under the wings of his bird, and whether only the four central or

all of the tail feathers were elongated ? Probably it was also a Resplendent

Whydah ; and particulars of a rare bird are always valuable.


Reginald Phirripps.



HYBRIDS.


Sir, —Last season I bred Canary mules from a cock Alario Finch, and

also from a cock Grey-necked Serin Finch. I have two cock mules (one

of each cross) which are perfectly charming songsters. The Grey-necked

Serin mule (a rich jonque from a deep yellow Norwich hen) is an unusually

handsome bird. E. D. H. Dary.



AVIARY-BRED AVADAVATS.


Sir,—W ill Mr. Todd be good enough to say if his young Avadavat

is still alive, and at what age it came into colour ? I lost the least robust of

mine, but the other is well. They were much persecuted by the old male

before I could catch them out of the aviary, and the one that died was

injured. Two days afterwards the mother was found dead—she was not a

strong bird at any time. Grace Ashford.



SOME CONTINENTAL BIRDS.


Sir, —Can any member, acquainted with European wild birds,

identify two kinds from very meagre descriptions ?


Last September, whilst walking with a camera down the road high

above theVal d’Herens, leading from Evolena to Sion, Switzerland (height

about 4,000 feet), I saw a lot of little Finch-like birds, about the size of

Siskins or St. Helena Waxbills, flitting about in the brilliant sunshine, and

uttering a very mellow flute-like call-note. I just caught sight of one for

a few seconds on a tree-bough, and it seemed almost olive-green, but more

yellowish underneath; I noticed a dark brown or black band across the

throat, like the crimson line on a Ribbon Finch, perhaps not extending

quite so far round. This momentary glimpse was the only one vouchsafed

me. The climate at that time was very hot during the day and very cold

at night.


(f) I came to this conclusion when I saw the bird at the Palace Show; but the

illustration of the species in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society gives it a scarlet

beak ; which is incorrect.—A. G. B.



