194 
My Birds and their Doings. 
independent of their parents. The young resemble tiieir parents 
but are much duller in line and the crimson areas much smaller. 
The two previous clutches, laid in a rush basket, hatclied out, 
but in each instance the young were thrown out of the nest ; 
but for their third and successful attempt, they built a domed 
nest in a fir tree, three eggs were laid and two successfully 
hatched out, and, as aforestated, were fully reared. 
RuFiCAUDA or Rufous-tailed Finches {Baihilda mfi- 
Cauda). These have been very prolific this season, and there are 
now quite a small crowd of young birds, some of which are 
already commencing to show red on the head. They are still 
nesting, and if the weather only keeps open, apparently more 
will be reared. 
Cuban Finches {Pho7iipara canora). Though the.se birds 
appear to be in the very finest condition, all their eggs have 
proved infertile. Their nests are beautifully and compactly built, 
being quite a work of art. 
Crimson Finches (^Ncochviia phaeton'). These have built 
in an old travelling cage and laid four eggs, which they are 
busily engaged in incubating. The cock bird spends a great deal 
of tiiiie in the nest, and I draw the conclusion that both sexes 
share the duties of incubation. 
Ringed Finches {Stictoptera annnlosa). Four young left 
the nest on August 17th, only one of which survived the heavy 
rains. The beak of this youngster is much darker than that of 
the adult birds, the cheeks are dirty white, the first band very 
narrow and the second band not visible ; the wing spots are very 
indistinct. 
A second pair are incubating, while yet another pair are 
busy constructing a nest. 
Masked Ghassfinckks (Poephita perso?iata). These have 
nested at:d successfully reared two young birds, which are strong 
on the wing and quite intiependent of their parents. Very in- 
clement weather prevailed when these lelt the nest. 
Cordon Blhus i^Esttilda phcejiicotis). These exceedingly 
beautiful little Butterfly Finches have done fairly well, and their 
young have stood the recent awful weather much better than the 
young of reputed hardy species. A small army of eight left the 
nest during the heavy rains; all have survived and are now 
