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Mrs. Howard Williams,



they would not remain for any length of time in the miserably

small cages I saw them in, whereas in the new aviaries recently

erected against the south side of the Parrot house they would

probably thrive for years. I hope many more such aviaries will

be erected in these beautiful gardens.



NESTING OF THE PILEATED FINCH.


Coryphospingus pileatus.


By Mrs. Howard Williams.


In March, 1903, I made an expedition to the East End in

search of new birds, and at one of the well-known dealers I

was shown some Pileated Finches, a species then quite unknown

to me.


Greatly admiring their lovely scarlet crests and soft dark

grey plumage I bore them home in triumph, fondly believing

that I had secured a true pair, and quite unconscious that the

aforesaid dealer had sold me two cocks. When we reached home

they were put into an aviary in a conservatory with other finches,

principally Australian, where they flourished exceedingly. After

a good deal of study it was decided that the bolder bird with

his constantly erected crest was the cock, and the timid one

which preferred the topmost perch in the aviary must be the hen.

The birds were often let loose in the conservatory for hours

together, and the Pileated Finches seemed specially to enjoy the

freedom, and had a very keen eye for any insect which might

incautiously show itself.


In a few months the new edition of “ Foreign Finches

in Captivity ” came into my hands, when the discover}' was

speedily made that a hen Pileated Finch is a browner shade

of grey than her mate, and that she lacks the scarlet crest, which

is replaced by a tuft of brownish feathers capable of being

erected to some extent.


I was fortunate in getting two hens very shortly after, but

nothing seemed further from their thoughts than nesting, and

in February of last year one died. The finer cock bird

unfortunately followed suit in April, and as he was in perfect



