Breeding of Ihe Hooded Siskin. 
279 
examined the nest box and finding iiothin^^ in it, I placed an old 
Chaffinch's nest firmly in the box, and hoped our friend would 
line and make use of this ; she was however very indignant at my 
interference and began pulling the nest to pieces. 
On the August 2Gth I found she had taken possession of a 
nest box previously used and lined by my Ruficaudas. This box 
was fortunately low down, about 5 feet from the ground and was 
open at the end, so that one could easily see into the nest. A very 
neat cup shaped nest was built, in thirty-six hours, of hay and 
coco-nut fibre, lined with felt and feathers. The hen began to 
sit at once, but no egg was laid until August 30th, the full clutch 
consisted of four eggs, which were laid on consecutive days — they 
were of the faintest possible pink colour with very minute brown 
spots at tlie broad end. Size 16 M.M. x 10 M.M. 
The male bird took no part in building or incubation, but 
was always near the nest and ready to feed his mate, when she 
came off. The latter was a model sitter, and I only saw her off 
the nest two or three times during the whole incubation period. 
On September 13 (a Friday to wit), the first and only chick 
was hatched, the other three eggs proving clear; it was quite naked 
and of an orange brown colour. On the 15th, I peeped into the nest 
and saw a distinct increase in size and crop, which was bulging 
witn food. I think this consisted of sponge cake and maw seed, 
in fact I believe the chick was reared on these two foods (of 
which large quantities disappeared), and green food such as 
groundsel and flowering grass. Here again the cock took no direct 
or active part, although he was always ready to feed the hen when 
she left the nest. 
After three or four days however she seemed to have no 
further craving for pre-digested food and always took her fill of 
maw seed, and sometimes a little hemp as soon as the food supply 
was given out in the morning. 
On Sept. 21st I heard the chick calling for food, and again 
on the 24th, this time at a distance of twenty yards from the nest; 
on this date I again looked into the nest, the three clear eggs were 
still there, and the chick was now a dark brown colour and show- 
ing feather. On Sept, 26, the orange brown cross bars on the 
wings were clearly discernable. 
On Sept. 2'.Hh (Sunday) I found the youngster sitting on 
