208 On the Nesting of the Cinnamon Tree-Sparrow.


anticipate any difficulty in the matter, and only retained the

young male for the purpose of observation.


The adult male began to show his yellow breast about the

middle of December, apparently through an actual change of

colour and not by casting any feathers, and as an exhibitor

offered to purchase a pair, and naturally wanted the best birds, I

sent him this bird. As bad luck would have it, it died shortly

after arrival and, with considerable reluctance, I therefore gave

him the remaining young male. I am unfortunately therefore

only able to confirm Capt. Perreau’s observation to this extent:

namely, that the adult male certainly had a bright yellow breast

when I received it on the 4th May (though it had faded somewhat,

according to Capt. Perreau, by that date) ; that by the commence¬

ment of July its breast had become entirely grey, only the cheeks

retaining the chrome colour ; that by the middle of December

there was certainly every indication that the plumage of the

former winter would be renewed. On the other hand Capt.

Perreau tells 11s that the young male (which was ultimately

killed by the adult male) also changed colour in December, and

this I cannot confirm because I have made careful enquiries and,

as lately as the 31st March, its present owner has informed me

that there was no indication of any change.


I am hoping, however, that this matter may still be cleared

up beyond any possibility of doubt because Capt. Perreau has

just returned to India and will be able to obtain a series of skins,

and on the other hand I hope to be able to keep an eye on the birds

which were bred in my aviary and record any change.


I11 conclusion I may say that I shall always think kindly of

Passer cinna 7 nomeus because, through the instrumentality of

this species, I have added to the number of my friends its

importer. Aviculture, as we must all have observed, has often

led to differences of opinion and even to bitter feuds, but I am

glad to think that this is not necessarily the case for, during

the past few years, I have made some good friends amongst

aviculturists.



Mr. Teschemaker appears to be entitled to receive tlie Society’s

Medal for having successfully reared young of Passer cinnainomeus in his

aviaries, and recording the fact in our journal.— Ed.



