Cortespo?idence, Notes , etc.



77



cage. Grass only was used in the construction of the nest although other

materials were supplied.


After this only two Masked Finches were to be generally seen about

the aviary, and one day, as the third had not been visible for a long time, I

risked looking into the entrance-hole, when the bird flew out, but it was

impossible to see into the nest. I did not, however, hear any young, and

was beginning to think that the eggs (if eggs there were) must have been

unfertile, when one morning in the middle of September I found on the

floor two little dead birds, which were undoubtedly young Masked Finches.

One was much larger than the other, both were well-fledged and the

larger must have been ready to leave the nest. They were warm and there¬

fore recently dead, and the larger had a deep gash down one leg baring it to

the bone. On examining the nest I did not find any more young birds or

any eggs, but there were sure signs of its recent occupation by a young

family. I sent the birds to Dr. Creswell for examination, and his report

appears in the October number of “Bird Notes.”


The food supplied in this aviary consisted of canary seed, white and

spray millet, cuttle-fish bone, and flowering grass. No soft food of any

kind was given.


I may mention that about a fortnight before the finding of the young

Masked Finches, I lost a young Gouldiau Finch (the only bird in the nest)

in a similar way, and it had received an exactly similar injury to that in¬

flicted on the larger of the two Masked Finches. Whether this was done

before or after being thrown out of the nest I do not know.


Oct. 15th, 1905. T. N. Wilson.


[The Masked Grassfinch was first bred in this country by Mr. L. W.

Hawkins in 1890, while Mr. D. Seth-Smith reared five young birds from one

pair (2 nests) in 1902. We have not heard of other instances but the species-

has been commonly imported and has probably bred several times.— Ed.].


NOTES ON PARROT FINCHES.


Sir, —Could you give me some information about Parrot Finches?

Which is the best time of the year to purchase them, and what would be

the price I should have to pay ? Can you tell me the names of dealers

from whom I should be likely to obtain them ? How can I distinguish the

sexes ? Are they hardy birds that could be kept in a small garden aviary

with a chance of breeding ? What is the best food for them, and do you

think they would agree with Diamond Finches? If yon can give me any

further hints I shall be greatly obliged. Frank BaThk.


The following reply was sent to Mi. Frank Bathe:


If Parrot Finches could be obtained at all times of the year I should

advise purchasing them in the Spring, but it is so very seldom that any

are to be obtained that you would do well to seize the first opportunity of



