Bakloh Aviary Notes, 191 6. 267 



times. Mealworms are getting a bit scarce, as they're beetl- 

 ing tremendously and I doubt if he gave enough. (Also I 

 doubt if he gave proper food, his job, but gave the ordinary 

 stuff as for the rest and did not change that often,, when he 

 found it uneaten — the swab. — G.A.P.). 



Then the young Babblers are not, I looked in the nest 

 and found nothing, 1 can only suppose it was a mouse or 

 other bird. T Might be, but I thhik food was the reason. — 

 G.A.P.). I told you they did not seem happy after the young 

 arrived. It"s most depressing, they're fussing about inside. 

 If they build again, what do I do? I'ailor Birds are all 

 right bur it's a terrible downpour for them. I don't get all 

 the time I should like, to stay and look at them and I prob- 

 ably do not see things quickly. ' 



May 13th, — Last night on way back from the Mess 

 fairly early I saw an "Ant" and fled home to rouse the 

 compound. They all played up bar perhaps Dila Ram, 

 and we got quite a lot on the Range Road. Then my funny 

 Kbit reported lots on the lawn and I came back to find the 

 back lawn (too near the house for my liking. — G.A.P.), a 

 seething mass. The Ayah had filled a tin and Daphne was 

 covered with them and as happy as you please. I've never 

 seen anything like it, we all worked like niggers, cows were 

 not thought of and Daffy was left as she was till dark. We 

 did quite well, 9 bottles and tms full as well as heaps in my 

 net. I'm trying to dry them to-day, I don't know how, but 

 they're getting on and I'm working very hard. One of the 

 Tit.s looking seedy. (Daphne age \\ years should be a great 

 nature lover if she goes on as at present). — G.A.P. 



May 1 5th. — Had worry with Dila Ram, will insist that 

 there's no fruit when there are lots of yellow blackberries 

 and mulberries, then he swears the birds don't eat tiiem. 

 Then as to net sweeping. Kira nakiii hai, billkul chaina,, 

 mausin chaina (Xo insects, none at all, it's not the season) 

 as usual, but he went and came back triumphant, with the same 

 words. About half an hour later I told luju 10 bring me the 

 net and I'd show him. lie began fumbling witii it, >aymg lie 

 was cleaning it, as there was Jul m 11. 1 seized it and of 



course found all sorts of tiny live creatures there. Then he 



