My Weavers and Whydahs 
2G7 
would cost about 3s. 6d. each, but tlie others anything up to 
60s., according to the number on the market. Being hardy 
and docile they are worthy a place in any aviary, aud they 
also mako excellent cage birds. 
When kept in cages, the cages should be specially 
made, and the perches, food and water vessels, should be fixed 
twelve to fourteen inches above cage bottom. This enables 
them to keep their long tail plumes clear and unfrayed. A 
little coaxing with a mealwoj-m soon tames them, and, with 
a little perseverance, they will feed from the hand. 
One warning; however, do not attempt to catch these 
birds unless it is absolutely necessary, as a slight pull and 
their beautiful tail is lost, and the beauty of their nuptial 
garment sadly marred for the season. 
♦ 
The Breeding of Hooded Siskins and Cross-bred 
Goldfinches 
By THE Eev. J. M. Paterson, M.A. 
I have had a very gentle reminder from our courteous 
Editor that my name has not figured amongst our contributors 
lately, so I am trying to write something which may be of 
interest, and perhaps of help to our readers. 
About the middle of June I turned out into my largest 
aviary a pair of Hooded Siskins, and a pair of Goldfinches. 
The cock Goldlinch is a very fine English bird, which has 
won mo several prizes, including a silver cup. The hen bird 
is a Himalayan which I obtained from Captain Perreau, and 
which he and I thought was cock bird, when I purchased it. 
Each pair commenced building at once, and the third day 
after being turned out the Goldfinch laid its first egg, and 
the following day the Hooded Siskin laid her first egg. 
Hybrid Goldfinches: The Goldfinches built a very 
small, frail nest in some Clematis niontana, as high up as 
they could well get; and the Hooded Siskins built a firm, 
strong nest in a tangle of hops and clematis, against one of 
the posts, supporting the centre of the aviary, about three 
feet above the ground. 
In each case, as far as I could see, the hen birds, did 
did all the building, the cock birds merely accompanying 
