188 



fed them three or four times a day with pellets composed of chopped fresh 

 ants' pupce, finely scraped meat, the insides of "Junikafer" (probably 

 cockchafers. — E.T.), the whole moistened with a little saliva and prepared 

 fresh every time. Subsequently tor several days I gave them insects whole, 

 the parents continuing to feed them also, and after this the parents fed 

 them unassisted, as they became quite strong. 



To our great consternation the parents commenced to make love 

 again when the young were four days old and we feared they would desert 

 them. Our fears, however, were groundless for they continued most 

 attentive and affectionate. 



On June 24 pairing was renewed and on July 1 " Norah " again began 

 to consume lime. The second clutch of eggs was laid on July 3 and 5, and 

 these were a little darker in colour. These eggs hatched in eighteen days 

 and the young were again fully reared. 



***** 



Thus ends a paper not only most interesting in itself but very valu- 

 able from a scientific point of view. In the first place the duration of in- 

 cubation had never before I think been definitely ascertained, although 

 Howard Saunders is approximately correct in the Manual. 



Secondly, from the fact of its breeding so late in the year, the Night- 

 jar has generally been regarded as single-brooded, but we now know that, 

 occasionally at all events, it rears a second brood. 



Thirdly, the time and duration of the spring moult (at which season 

 of course Nightjars have left this country) has been noted. 



Fourthly, we now have a detailed account of the courtship and in- 

 cubation of this species and especially of the method of feeding the young. 



Lastly we have actual photographs of the young at the different 

 stages of their growth. (See plate). 



I feel sure that we shall all unite in saying " Well done, Frau 

 Heinroth " !* 



Hviarv £irt>s 3 have met with in tbeir IRatural 



State. 



By Douglas Dewak, F.Z.S., I.C.S. 

 (Continued from page 166). 

 IV. INDIAN STARLINGS. 

 The Starlings bear living testimony to the richness of the 

 Indian avifauna. No fewer than twenty-nine species of full- 

 blown Starlings, to say nothing of five doubtful ones, disport 

 themselves in India and on the adjacent islands. Of these, 

 half-a-dozen species are widely distributed and abundant where 

 they occur. 



* Further notes in next issue. 



