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F. E. Matthews—Longtailed Grassfinch



LONGTAILED GRASSFINCH x WHITE

BENGALESE


By Frances E. Matthews


We have at the moment flying about in a rather spacious indoor

aviary a pair of hybrids whose father is a fine Longtailed Grass Finch,

and the mother an almost entirely White Bengalese. The birds feed

themselves, and are very healthy. Their first plumage resembles mostly

that of the young Longtailed Grass Finch. One bird is larger than the

other. The wings are dark and prettily shaded, the breast fawn colour.

There is the usual dark bib or tie very slightly developed, with a minute

white mark in centre under lower mandible. One bird has two very

minute white flecks on top of the head. The birds seem to be a pair,

and are both far larger than the mother. I think they will grow to be

as big as the father.


I consulted Dr. Hopkinson’s records, and could find no mention

of this particular cross. I have since heard from him that this is the

first time this special cross has been reported to him. I may mention

that we did not aim to breed this type. The Longtailed Grass Finch

in the early summer lost his mate. Feeling very solitary he consoled

himself (tante de mieux) with a very ordinary Bengalese hen ; building

a marvellous grass nest for her in the outdoor aviary. His attentions

and patience seemed endless, though she never laid an egg. Later on

we found this White Bengalese hen, but they have lived indoors. She

laid several eggs but hatched out two birds.



THE TYRANNY OF “ THE TRADE ”


By Lord Tavistock


One of the more sinister, undesirable features noticeable in connec¬

tion with the bird fancy of recent years has been the increasing tendency

of dealers and important firms selling bird food, etc., to try and stifle

legitimate criticism of their methods or wares and legitimate recom¬

mendation of other people’s products. The popular Fancy Press seems



