British Birds, 
147 
each ])r()0(l. They were also fed by other })ir(is, and a Gordon Blue ( S ) 
an otld bird, was often noticed feeding one or other the Greypates. 
I selected one pair of the youngsters and removed all the others, old 
and voung. The hen died during the winter following and the cock 
on the 4tli of the present month. As I am very fond of their bright 
cheery actions another pair have now been introduced and probably 
they also will shortly attempt to reproduce their kind. 
I also bred this species freely when reiiiding in the Midlands, durii.g the years 187G to 
1S80, green food and fruit played a very important part in the successful rearin;,' of the young— 
this latter remark equally applies to the successful breeding of Bullfinches in captivity. — In 
1880 wheQ I couimenceil to keep Foreign Species, our indigenous species gradually disappeared 
from my aviaries. Last year I once more found room for pairs of Goldfinches, Twites, and 
Siskins, but they made no attempt to breed.— Ed. 
Nesting Notes. 
Our esteemed Hon. Sec. informs me that eight young Blackbirds 
liave been reared in his aviaries, and that pairs of Thrushes and 
Hedge Sparrows are busily incubating. 
Arrivals. 
Our esteemed member, Mr. Mathias, reports the following — 
locality Stubbington, Lee-on-Solent : April 15th. — Quite an assembly 
of Swallows hawking over a marshy area of the coast ; the following 
day they had dispersed, evidently inland. April 18th — Kightingale 
heard here in full song. April 24th - Tiie Cuckoo was heard here, 
that is between Stubbington and Fareham. 
Mr. Yealland, Haven-street, I. of W., reports : Swallows were 
seen here April 15th, also the Lesser Whitethroat. 
Wild Bird Arrivals in the Midlands (Beds.) 
We are always rather behind with our arrivals, it is so cold in 
these parts ; on 13th April, the first Swallows came ; Cuckoo heard 
for first time on 24th. Blackcaps, Chiff-chaffs, Golden Crests, and a 
Hoopoe were seen in the wood (Toddington Manor). Many first broods 
of Thrushes are flying. Wrens and Hedge Sparrows have young. 
Bullfinches in one aviary have already built several nests, laid, and 
then destroyed tliem. It is very early for them to be nesting, but 
birds confined do not act as in their natural state. 
Mrs. E. W. VERNON. 
Hen Bullfinches sitting together. 
It may be of some interest to other members if I relate the 
curious behaviour of two maiden Bullfinches. They were two from a 
