148 



great advantage which our indigenous species possess over im- 

 ported species, from the aviculturist's point of view, is that at 

 any time one can release them. In June 1907 I released a hen 

 Blackcap suffering from an eye disease which is generally fatal 

 to birds in a state of captivity, having first marked her with a 

 metal ring. Two months later I saw the bird in my garden in 

 perfect health and condition. 



Next season, if the Fates allow, I hope to try my hand at 

 breeding the L,apland and the Corn Bunting. The more, how- 

 ever, I see of our English Buntings the more convinced I am 

 that they require special care and special treatment. It is not 

 enough to keep them in a large aviary with a regular daily supply 

 of insectivorous food for, being naturally of a shy disposition, 

 they allow other and bolder species to secure the whole of the 

 latter and consequently one will probably lose a large proportion 

 of Buntings in the moult. I find that the only certain method 

 of moulting them is to bring them into the house and moult 

 them in large flight cages, either singly or not more than two 

 together, with an abundant supply of mealworms. 



£be Besting of Blacl^beaoeo Sibias. 



{Malarias capistrata). 

 By Mrs. E. Warren Vernon. 



I have already described the birds in a previous issue; 

 they have done well with me and were in perfect condition when 

 building commenced. They had a roomy garden aviary to them- 

 selves, well screened from curious eyes, yet as will be seen, com- 

 plete success — that is, the rearing of the young np to the point 

 of being able to fend for themselves — did not crown their efforts. 

 Building commenced on June 12th and the nest was completed 

 two days later. The nest was constructed of hay — very deep — in 

 the branches against wire netting facing west. Two eggs were 

 laid a little shorter than a Blackbird's, pale blue in colour with 

 brown markings. The first egg was laid on June 22nd, and the 

 second on the 23rd ; incubation was commenced on the 24th. 

 The hen sat very steadily and was fed by the cock 011 the nest. 



