146 
Pals. 
often said — " long^ and short." or " large and small of the 
matter " — such cynical criticism would be equally true of avian 
l)a]s, and very probably occurs in the avian-world, who knows? 
Here is a list of cases of palship, which I have observed in 
my own or friends' aviaries. In each case both birds were ot 
the same sex. and one or both of them legally married, and 
beyond the reproach of Mrs. Grundy of Bird-land. 
Zebra and Cutthroat ImucIi (lasted 3 years). 
Java Sparrow and Indian Green-wing Dove (after 4 years the 
death of the Java separated the friends). 
S'iolet Tanager and Madagascar Lovebird (lasted 2 years, when 
the sale of the pair of Lovebirds ruthlessly parted them). 
Long-tailed Grassfinch and Diamond Dove (death separated 
them). 
Tri-colotir Mannikin and Australian Crested Pigeon. 
Black-cheeked Lovebird and Indian Ring-necked ParraKeet. 
Canary-wing Parrakeet and Budgerigar. 
Budgerigar and Java Sparrow. 
Spice Finch and Shama (a striking case, most interesting to 
watch; they rested side by side, squeezed together during 
meridian heat, and so slept during the night). 
Black Tanager and Grey-wing Ouzel (both these birds were 
hens); this is an extreme case in which the palship intruded 
into the domestic life, the Tanager insisting on assisting 
her pal to feed her babies, which Mrs. ( )uzel did not mind, 
but Mr. Ouzel certainly did, and so " between two stools 
the babies died! This the pals, of course, laid at the door 
of Mr. Ouzel, and their sweet bond of friendship continued, 
till in the following season their owner's ruthless hand 
placed them in separate aviaries. 
I could adtl to the above almost without limit, also the 
details concerning the demeanour of the respective pals — they 
foraged together for their respective families, spent their short 
periods of rest together, and told each other with bated breatii 
the spicy stories and scandal of their little world; then, when 
their babies were settled for the night, went off to their club 
together — some tree, bush, or secluded corner of the aviary — 
