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A. F. Moody — Waders , etc.



left the nest. These were successfully reared, and rapidly assumed

a plumage not unlike the adult in winter dress.


Nestlings .—Covered with dull whitish down. Four hatched, two

of which died at an early age.


Siskin (Chrysomitris s'pinus). — From a pair which enjoyed the

range of a roomy aviary, two broods—a four and a three were reared

in 1909. Nest, rather like that of the Spotted Flycatcher, built in

yew bushes at a height of about 6 feet from the ground. Eggs, five

and four in number ; incubation, thirteen to fourteen days. It was

observed that the broods left the nest on the thirteenth and fourteenth

day respectively, and that on the date when the first brood left the

nest, 10th August, the female ceased to assist the male to feed the

first brood, and commenced to sit upon a second clutch of eggs.


The young males on leaving the nest differed from the females by

showing a greater amount of yellow in their plumage.


Bullfinch [PynJmla europsea). —1911. A pair of Bullfinches were

given an opportunity of nesting. Being hand-reared examples of the

previous season, they were very tame and confiding. At the same time

they proved most indifferent breeders, or rather, I should say, rearers,

for although several typical nests were built and young hatched on

two or three occasions, they only succeeded in rearing two young

(a pair) late in the season, after having neglected the previous broods.

As to the behaviour, etc., of the birds at the nest : It was observed

that an average nest occupied four days in building ; that both took

an equal share in the labour, and at intervals sat in the nest before

the eggs were laid ; after which the female only incubated. The eggs

were laid on successive days, roughly about 8 a.m. Incubation in

the only timed instance lasted thirteen days, the young leaving the

nest on the thirteenth and fourteenth day.


All the species mentioned reared, the parents having access to a

mixed seed pan, a frequently renewed bunch of weeds containing half-

ripened seed heads, and such insects as they could procure.



