All rights reserved.] August, 1909. 
BIRD NOTES: 
THE 
JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. 
nDv> 53uC)5 anD their H)oinc;5. 
Nesting and other Notes for 1909. 
By H. WiLLFORD. 
(^Cojithiued fjom page 123). 
Since writing niy last notes some little time has elapsed 
and many birdy events have occurred ; the Ruddy-ShoulderED 
COWBIRD hens have both built, laid again and sat steadily, each 
on three eggs for some time, but neither have succeeded in 
hatching any young, for which I am inclined to think the 
weather is largely responsible. 
No more Silky Cowbird's eggs have been hatched, and, 
as I have found occasionally eggs of small birds destroyed, I 
have now given up further hope of rearing either of these 
Cowbirds this year, so have entirely cleared the Wilderness 
Aviary (No. 5 on plan) preparatory to stocking with a few special 
pairs. I shall have to write this down as my Australian year, 
owing to the good fortune I have experienced with most of the 
little Grass-finches. 
In aviary No. 6, Diamond Sparrows and Rufous-tails 
have each a second brood nearly fledged, while from another nest 
of Rufous-tails four young have flown, and the old birds have 
laid again in tlie old nest ; the Longtails also have two more 
young on the wing. 
Peaceful Doves have laid, but have actually been driven 
from their nest by a hen PiLEATED Finch, v/ho is now busy 
incubating their eggs, becoming so tame that she can be almost 
touched without taking alarm. In the same bush a pair of 
Crimson-winged Finches are sitting on three eggs, and not 
far distant in the long grass of a bank the Chestnut-breasted 
Finches are, I think, looking forward to the day when their 
three loud-voiced youngsters will leave the nest. 
