230 
C orresponden e e . 
disposed, in a mixed collection of small birds than cither of 
their companions. 
4 _ 
Correspondence. 
SEASONAL NOTES. 
The Editor rcci'ntly had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Bright, and 
the exchange of avicultural coufidemx;s. Alter ^Ir. Blight's retuin north 
the following letter was received, which, with the exception of a' few 
pureh' personal sentences, we publish in full, tuitli apologies to Mr. 
Bright for liberty taken with a iprivate letter. — Ed. 
Sir, — On my return here, 1 found things fairly well among the 
birds, but for two rather annoying losses — the hen Melba Fineh and 
hen Bosetinch. To-day my Bed -headed Gouldian Finch (cock) was found 
drowned in the bath after a terrilic thunderstorm, with very heavy 
rain and hail. The bath was very full and he must have been' 
either too wet to Hy out or hit by the hail . 1 think he has young 
ones too ! It is most annoying, as 1 have no cock now, and the hen 
is a bleeder. I liave had this cock three years now and looked upon 
him as acclimatised to this part of the world, and he was aviary bred 
— the only Gouldians that have lived (any time here have all been 
aviary bred ones — 1 must get another aviary bred coek from somewhere. 
1 hud the birds have done fairly well in breeding : Long-tailed 
Grusbiinchet i^both the Yellow- and Bed-billed epecies) have young on 
the wing in each aviary. 
jMasked Grassfinchcs, and Cuban Finches have also young on 
the wing. 
A young Euficauda Finch which is out of the nest bears a 
strong resemblance to a Cherry Fineh. 
Bicheno Finches, Bib Finches, and Bronze Mannikins have young 
in the nest. I think Plicated Finches also have young in the nest. 
The Orange-headed Bulllinches (J'yrrlniki erythrocephala) ire 
building again, but in a very exposed position this time, right on the 
fop of a privet bush, just under the top wirc-m'tting, and absolutely 
unprotected from rain and wind. However, 1 can't alter their choice, 
so must hope for the best, but if she lays and; settles down to in- 
cubating 1 must try and put a square of gla.sK over the top— they are 
making a great fuss over the building. ' 
Quail Finches are still .sticking to their nest in the gra.ss, 
in spite of the heavy thunder-rain t)f the past few days, and keep 
taking drj' feathers in all the time — it is wonderful what they can 
stand . 
My little Mexican (^ollared Finches built a cup-shaped nest 
again, on the same site where they hatched out two broods (nom; 
reared) last year, but it was pulled to pieces by some other bird 
before she laid— nothing more doing at present. 
