Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/221

Rh case was probably the Goldfinch. A correspondent, who has had long experience as a breeder, judge, and exhibitor, assures me that he has never known an authentic case of any cross bred from a cock Bullfinch. I have seen a large number of hybrid Finches, and have on many occasions examined birds described as crosses between "Bullfinch and Goldfinch,"

"Bullfinch and Linnet," and (occasionally) "Bullfinch and Redpoll" and "Bullfinch and Greenfinch"; but it is just possible that in each of these cases the order in which the parents' names were given should have been reversed. If it be the fact that no hybrids have been raised from the cock Bullfinch, it is very curious. Further information would be interesting. — (51, Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park).

Chickens reared by Partridges.—On a farm in this parish two chickens were last summer hatched by Partridges, a hen from the farmyard having no doubt laid in their nest. The chickens, which were both pullets, throve well, and were reared to maturity, growing into big lusty birds; but, as might be expected, were as wild as the Partridges with which they lived. This interesting family were in the habit of frequenting some low-lying meadows adjoining a piece of barley. On the first occasion of my meeting with them I was much puzzled by seeing out in the middle of the meadow, which was at some distance from the house, two big dark-looking birds, which from their actions were evidently neither Hooks nor Waterhens. From the length of the grass little else could be seen of them but their heads and necks, and their little foster-parents were at first entirely concealed. On seeing me, however, the two big black pullets at once started off running, accompanied by one of the Partridges, which soon outran them, got up, and flew off, the other Partridge having squatted in the grass. The fowls ran at full speed towards a broad ditch full of water, but choked with sedge and other plants, where I lost sight of them. On arriving at the place where they had disappeared, I distinctly heard them in the ditch, apparently about the middle, but could do nothing towards rescuing them. The broken-down sedges, however, afforded them, no doubt, sufficient support to prevent their drowning. Usually, when disturbed on the open meadows, the whole family would get up and fly into the middle of the barley. These wild-reared pullets seemed to be decidedly stronger on the wing, and able to take longer flights than would have been the case if reared in the ordinary way.— (Blaxhall, Suffolk).

Birds which nest in London.—With reference to the article in the January number of the 'Edinburgh Review,' mentioned in 'The Zoologist' (ante, p. 91), I observe the writer divides London birds into three classes: (1) casual stragglers, (2) regular birds of passage, (3) birds nesting in