148 Ncsthif/ Hcsulfs at Pari- Lodge Aviaries. 
Till'; Mkxic.vx Koski'inch : Tliis is a dull -coloured bird 
to till' uiHtliscrvin;,' and uiiaj)pr('ciativ(' (lyc, hut it possesses 
the i'onu of a steeplechaser. A louj;' narrow liody with liead 
well set ou, and a beak built for business. Tlu' cork lia.s a 
sweetly pretty little song, uothiii;;' iniicli to boast about, but 
tlien our Rosefincii is no aristocrat. He comes from a highly 
respected family, than which one can say notliing more oom- 
plimentar\ atul yet more danniing. 
They ai'e ready breeders and hrin^^ oil' two or three 
at a tinu'. Tiie children are ol)Viously honest liut .stupid 
folk, quite neatly tui-iu'd out aiul with a stray l>it of down on 
tlie head, very suggestive of the .sau.sage-sliaped cuid that tlie 
better class children alTect at the Sunday school. The cock bird 
sports a little colour on head and l)reast, and is a most devoted 
and attentive husl;and, 1 ut liopelessly middle class. .At one time 
1 thought they were without fault, but I have discovered they 
are shameless vandal i-t;. They write their names on every 
bush and slirul> in the aviai'y; and looking at the liird you 
could well believe they would. They are absolutely hardy 
and keep vei-y much to themselves. They ai'e tlioroughlv 
"cliquey." 1 reared seven or eight. The cocks do Jiot all 
come into colour even up to May, the year following their 
arrival on an already over-crowded glolie. The distinctions 
are the song and, of cour.se, when present, the rose-coloured 
mantle and breast. All cocks show a little reddish tinge theii' 
tirst season, some in the first autumn. We now come to (juite 
a diflferent type of bird, viz.: 
The Red-ckested C.vkdix.vl: This species has a bad 
reputation for bullying, but I have not fouiul them so. L 
must say, however, that they took a very evident flislike to a 
Black Tanager and finally harried him to death. But then most 
birds dislike black birds, for with birds the colour 'ipiestion 
is veiy ac-ute. Cardinals certainly live up to their name as 
regards importance. The " red hat " is a sign of distinction 
and well they know it. I wa.s fortunate in gettingi a true pair. 
The distmction hi the se.xes is very slight antl conlincd almost 
to the beak. In the cock the culmen or arch of the beak is 
larger. He has a pleasant song even if a little monotonous. 
Altogether, except for their foliage -destroying propensities 
which are ^'reat, they are desirable aviary birds and I would 
