68



Mrs. Howard Williams,



there would have been unlimited space and boundless choice of

sites—the pair would have moved far beyond the reach of the

Fury in the hamper, and the second female likewise have laid

two beautiful eggs in some secluded spot.


(To be continued).



NESTING OF THE PECTORAL FINCH.


Munia pectoralis.


By Mrs. Howard Williams.


In the early part of last June Dr. Butler kindly told me

that our member, Mr. Housden, had an enormous number of

Australian birds, which were well worth a visit. Unfortunately

this part of Kent was in the midst of a terrible week of rain, and

the day I went to see the birds was one of the worst in that

wretched week. I did not mean to get any Pectoral Finches,

but somehow I came back with a pair besides the birds I had

intended to add to my number. The Pectorals were so hand¬

some, and in such good feather and condition that I simply could

not resist them. Mr. Housden strongly advised me not to put

his birds outside, as they had been kept warm, so, rather

reluctantly these finches were placed in an aviary in the

conservatory, which they shared with a pair of Masked Finches,

a pair of Gouldians, and an odd cock Dong-tailed Grassfiucli.


Very soon the hen disappeared, but at last I caught sight

of her peeping out of a rush basket. After she had sat for an

abnormal time I examined the basket and found a quantity of

eggs, but no young birds. I took away the eggs fearing the

poor bird would get exhausted with her hopeless task, but after a

short rest of a week or so she began to lay again, and when I left

home early in August she was again sitting steadily.


On my return on September nth I found seven baby-birds

in the aviary, but could hardly believe they were one brood.

Evidently the hen must have begun to sit when the first egg was

laid.


Four of the youngsters sat aloft comfortably clothed in

shades of brown, looking very much like magnified young

Bronze-winged Mannikins, but the other three shivered miserably



