Nestling Gouldian Finches.



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The hen, after one circular flight, has disappeared.


The nest probably would not have been found had she not got

up under a searcher’s feet and betrayed its situation.


A couple of Common Gulls, who have probably a young one

hidden in the heather, now commenced to mob the male Hen

Harrier, stooping at him continually with much unnecessary

clamour, until at last he cleared off. We, having photographed

the young bird, also turned back to the road and retraced our

steps to the boat.


A week later we made the same journey once more, and saw

a great change in the nestling, which appeared much better feathered

and almost doubled in size, besides being far bolder and almost

truculent, throwing itself backwards and snapping its bill violently.


The old birds pursued the same tactics as before, and whether

their offspring eventually joined them we do not know, for in another

week circumstances over which we had no control had carried us far,

far away, where Hen Harriers were not.



NESTLING GOULDIAN FINCHES*


By C. H. A. Lienau.


Have you ever wondered why young Gouldian Finches have

those beautiful phosphorescent turquoise studs on either side of their

mouths ? I have not noticed similar markings on any other young

birds. They are really wonderful: the four points shine in a dull

light like small electric sparks, and do not fade away till the young

ones have been out of the nest for a few weeks. Is it to guide the

old birds to the mouths of the young ones when feeding them ? It

lasts for some days even after the young ones die, and seems quite

like a living light. If they were in the habit of nesting in dark

places it would be more easily understood, but, building as they do

out in the open, there scarcely seems any reason for it other than

that Nature wishes to beautify the young.


We have had a very long and trying winter this year. The



[* Kindly communicated by Mr. Astley.j



