280 The Criinson-r!n<rcd Whydah. 



play was totally different, and I never saw it take place upon the 

 ground. I noted neither he nor his mates were at all partial 

 to the ground, and seldom alighted except to drink. The 

 hens were very retiring birds, and spent much of their time 

 in the recesses of a laurel, or else hiding under the over- 

 hanging leaves' of the wild convolvulus, with whi(-h the 

 aviary was somewhat overgrown. During the heat of the day 

 the cock rested in similar situations, but in the early mornings 

 and late evenings he was very restless and acti\c, his dis- 

 plays then being very frequent and "his song incessant. At 

 one time he will sink his head into his shoulders, drop his 

 wings like a pheasant or common fowl, his tail being carried 

 horizontally; at another he will hold his body very erect with 

 his breast well stuck out and his tail spread to its full ex- 

 tent, and close his eyes as if in an ecstasy (see photo). 

 Occasionally 1 have seen him hovering over the hen in much, 

 the same way as the Pintail ('/. principal's) is so fond of 

 doing. His song, which is quite a long one. is practically 

 inaudible, except for the last note, which resembles the croak- 

 ing of a frog. I cannot say that his wives seemed much 

 imp essed by either his singing or displaying. 



Bakloh Aviary Notes. Part III. 



{Continued from page 270). 



Extracts from Letters from, and Diary by E. G. 



M. Perreau, with Notes by Major G. A. Perreau. 



Breeding of Pied-Chats and Tailor-Birds. iMay 

 22nd. — Pied Chats are nesting in box over shelter door about 

 7 feet up. 



May 22nd. — ;Pied Chats are nesting in box over shelter 

 door abou*^ 7 feet up. 



May 26th. — Pied Chats busy with flulf, no eggs. 



May 28th.— Tailor Birds young dead, nesting again, 

 new nest is in fig1 leaves, only a little sewing at present. 

 Birds in splendid plumage and very noisy. 



May 30th. — Pied Chats have 4 or 5 eggs. Terrific 

 storm yesterday, which rather knocked hydrangea about, the 



