E. M. Lupton—Crimson Finches



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at her beloved, and vainly try to find a way through, the dividing

door. When together, Reuben, with head feathers raised and wings

outspread, would drive her round till she fled in terror to a corner,

and her pursuer was once more shut away. Obviously, if they were

to breed, these was nothing for it but to wire off a portion of the aviary,

where they could set up house. This was done, and they were given

a compartment some 5 feet square by 9 feet high, with a good twiggy

branch for perching and a pile of heather fixed up in the corner to

make inviting cover.


No sooner were they installed than peace reigned. Before long

a home was being built of odds and ends of seeding grass, and presently

the curve on their crumpled tails proclaimed that both parents were

sitting. Shortly young were heard in the nest and hopes ran high.

Besides providing a perpetual supply of gentles and mealworms, plants

were ransacked for green-fly and corners for spiders. On 12th May

five dusky little birds precipitated themselves from the nest, strong

on the wing, perpetually hungry, a credit to their parents. So proud

was Ruby of her performance that she decided to show what more

she could do, and without delay went to nest again.


On 26th June another five poured forth from the same little nest,

equally flourishing apparently, without such diligent supplies of

green-fly and such anxious care.


The area was now becoming congested, but still perfect amity

reigned, and Ruby once more went to nest. By degrees, however,

the elder sons were showing signs of adolescence, donning crimson

waistcoats and raising their voices in imitation of their father’s dainty

little trill. Reuben felt their presence was becoming a nuisance, and

early in August all ten were removed to a roomy cage.


On 6th August another five infants braved the outside world, but

one was only feeble, and unable to face an active life. The other four

were well grown and vigorous as ever.


This, I thought, will do. Ruby shall now rest on her laurels. For

a fortnight I should be away from home, and on my return would

break up the colony. But no ! Ruby thought otherwise. While still

hard at work filling four hungry gaping mouths, a new little nest

was constructed a foot or so below the discarded home, which was



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