76 On the Nesting of the Yelloiv Sparrow.


topmost perch in the gable roof, and were rarely seen at all.

They took no interest in food, were chased by other birds if they

ventured to descend in search of a seed or a drink, and led a

wretched life to all appearance. After some time I happened to

get a better view of them than usual, and discovered to my

dismay that both bills were light ! This led to inquiry when I

found that both birds were cocks. One of them became subject

to fits, caused by fright I fancied, and they were caught and

placed in a cage in a sitting room. There they spent a quiet

winter, in perfect health, though the dimmer light spoiled their

colour to some extent.


In the early summer they were turned into a new garden

aviary, and two hens were procured at different times, and were

welcomed with great pleasure, shown by drooping wings, fan¬

like tail, and much loud chirping. The hens were pale fawn and

brown, with no bright yellow about them at all. One of them,

however, mysteriously disappeared shortly afterwards.


In July the remaining pair began to take an interest in

mealworms and soft food, and began to carry twigs from a dead

Christmas tree into the inner house, and pile them in an untidy

heap in a box hanging on the wall. There seemed to be no nest,

only an untidy heap of fir twigs, as far as could be seen, and I

dared not look closely.


Just then I left home, but on my return in the second week

in September I was told there were young birds in the aviary.

Going to make an inspection I soon discovered two charming

birds dressed neatly in pale fawn with light bills and bright dark

eyes sitting together on a branch. I watched quietly and soon

saw the old birds feed them, which finally established their

identity, for they were not at all like the cock, though they did

resemble their mother to some extent.


When I ventured to examine the nest I found that the

twigs hid the real entrance to it, and that it was made of dried

grass and weeds mixed with many feathers, some ordinary ones

which had been taken from the poultry run and placed in the

aviary, but a good many tiny green ones from a pair ofTavender-

headed Lovebirds which have shared the same quarters all the



summer.



