A Northern Aviarij. 
11 
Larks. — Paired but no result. 
Pekin Robins {Linthrix lutcuf^). — Started to build in one 
of the laurel bushes but never completed the nest. 
Mixed Unions. — Cock Zebra Finch paired with a hen 
Grey Waxbill, several nests of eggs but no living result. Cock 
Zebra Finch paired with a hen White Java, but no result. The 
above cock Zebra has had three hens of his own species at differ- 
ent times, but all have died egg bound. African Silverbill paired 
to a Tricolour hen, but there has been no result, not even eggs ; 
possibly they are both of the same sex. 
Ruddy Buntings. — Started to build in the ivy-covered 
wall, but nest was never completed. 
Saffron Finches (Sycalis flaveo/a). — I have had several 
nests and eggs of the above. In the first nest two young were 
partially reared, but were eventually neglected and, of course, died. 
The above cock has had two mates both of which died egg-bound. 
Hen Canary and hen Hedge Sparrow have both built nests on 
their own account, but of course without result. The above 
Sparrow I picked up in the garden last year by hand, and it never 
attempted to fly away. Since it has been in the aviary it has 
been rather timid, not tame as I naturally expected. My birds 
have not yet had a proper chance as regards breeding ; last 
summer was a poor one, and this year it has been something 
shocking up here (Southport). 
General Observations, Demeanour, &c. Cardinals. 
— I have kept two species of Cardinals, viz.. Red Crested and 
Black-throated. The Red Crested I have found to be perfectly 
hardy and active birds, but they are rather quarrelsome. The 
Black-throated are very dull and sluggish birds compared with 
the above, and I have found them to be not nearly as hardy, as 
the cold and frosty weather soon ruffled them. Eventually both 
died of pneumonia. If I obtain any more of these birds I should 
bring them indoors about the end of September. They are not 
quarrelsome, the hen, if anything, being more so than the cock. 
Slylarks. — Have been in aviary about 18 months. Hardy 
but still very timid. 
SiLVBRBILLS. — I have found the Indian to be quite hardy, 
more so than the African. 
