Breeding of the Black Seed- finch. 
221 
enough, was the nest, now containing their second clutch 
of five newly -laid eggs. 
I had not thought of looking here, as the conifer was 
close to the entrance and pond, and owing to the dry season, 
wa=? not covered with climbing weeds as it had been in 1914. 
The eggs were of a greenish-white ground-colour, blotched 
with dusky brown. 
The little Bullfinch (Seed-Finch) was a curious little 
object; it had hardly any tail, and the feathers on the back 
of the neck were only partially developed, making it look 
as if it were wearing a ruff. Its large beak and bright 
black eyes added to the grotesqueness of its appearance. In 
fact it looked a regular little brigand. It was extremely 
active on the wing, and showed considerable skill in hiding 
in the lauj'els and other shrubs. 
The parents fed it principally on mealworms and spray 
miliet. The first food to which I saw it helping itself was 
seeding grass, hut when it had been on the wing about ten 
days, ii was always the first bird in the morning to visit the 
bread and milk dish, and it would carry off a piece nearly as 
large as its own head. On June 30th,, I saw it kill and eat 
its flrsi mealworm. 
