274 Experiences of Foreign Finelies and Sofibills. 
young ones but drove them away as soon as they were able 
to fend for themselves, so when they died some years later 
there wene no others to take their place. 'J'heir nests were 
flimsy structures placed in the fork of a large deciduous tree. 
Three eggs usually formed the clutch, and three broods were 
reared during the season. 
Dominican Cardinals (Paroaria larvafa) were hardier 
than Red-crests, less quarrelsome, and might, I believe, have 
been a success if the Red-crests had left them in peace, but 
they were always bullying and driving them away. Their 
nests, built in rather low bushes, were composed of very line 
twigs, and so badly constructed that the eggs could often be 
seen from below. A few young were reared, also some Dom- 
inican X Red-crested hybrids. 
Yellow-billed Cardinal.s {Paroaria capita(a) were 
not hardy and unable to stand the winter out of doors. 
Saffron Finches {Sycalis flaveola) stayed well for 
some weeks and then left in large numbers. A few remained 
and bred in old Martins' nests, being often, however, disturbed 
by Sparrows. They maintained themselves for a few years 
and then died off quickly from septic fever. 
Nonpareil Buntings {Cyaiwspiza ciris) proved deli- 
cate and did not establish themselves. 
Parrot Finches {Erytiirura psittacea) stayed for some 
weeks, but failed to breed and ultimately vanished. 
Gouldian Finches {Poepliila goiildian). I tried sev- 
eral times with this species but had no luck whatever. They 
are not good stayers and of those which did stay, many died 
of liver disease. A few got into tine .condition, but they never 
attempted to nest and none survived the winter. One of the 
last 1 had was, apparently, a fine Black-headed cock with 
the usual deep purple bib. 1 sent him away and a few days 
later 1 heard that "he " had laid an egg, much to his owner's 
surprise 1 
Diamond Sparrows {Stegaiio pleura guttata) were not 
good stayers, either, although a brood once left the nest in 
February, and eggs were laid on se\eral occasions. 
Crimson Finches {Neocliniia pliaeton) seemed dis- 
posed to stay well, but as I only turned out two or three 
1 did not really give them a fair trial. 
