On the Nesting oj the Cinnamon Tree-Sparroiv. 205


know that Capt. Fulton, who made a collection of Chitral skins

the year before I did, also only took skins in the winter.


Many Anglo-Indian writers mention this Sparrow favour¬

ably, not only in gratitude for being rid of P. domesticus , but,

according to Major Magrath, as being “ quite an acquisition to

the avifauna of the hills.” He also calls it “ this handsome

sparrow,” with both of which compliments I heartily concur. I

believe Mr. Teschemaker has the only ones in England. I won¬

der they are not imported, as they are handsomer and smaller

than some that are. I fancy their temper is no worse, if as bad

as others. I certainly am inclined to attribute two casualties to

them (i.e. a newly-caught lieu Rose-finch and the other cock

P. citmamomeus). I believe Mr. Teschemaker cannot speak over

well of this cock, but let us hope that this is a case of individual

temperament, and I must mention in justice to his character

that, in the first place much more damage might easily have been

done in that aviary without causing me much surprise, owing to

the presence of defenceless birds, and in the second place that

notorious evil-doers were also present, a very mixed crowd.

Still the suspicion remains.


It seems hard on this charming little bird to leave him

with a slur on his character, I wish I had put the pill before the

sugar. I might add, though I have already written far more than

I intended, that the cock did all he could in feeding my caged

young and proved himself a model father.



THE NESTING OF THE CINNAMON

TREE-SPARROW.


By W. E. Teschemaker. B.A.


I am glad to have been able to induce Capt. Perreau to write

the above very interesting account of this species for two reasons.

In the first place I wanted our member to describe in his own words

the singular change of colour because I think we have here an

original observation of unusual interest. I may add that I have

held over this paper for some considerable time in order to have

further evidence to offer on this point. Secondly, it adds greatly

to our interest in the inmates of our aviaries to have some actual



