34 Some Interesting Birds. 



Woodpecker or Nuthatch. The nest has been taken, and is 

 constructed of coarse grass, moss, wool and rootlets. The 

 eggs are pale bluish -white, speckled with rufous. 



Major Perreau states that " he has nevei- found them 

 " below 0,000 feet, they seem to be residents at that height, 

 "and upwards. In spite of their retiring habits, he cercamly 

 "should have noticed them if they, like many liill-birds, came 

 " lower in winter. They do not seem to mind heat, and cer- 

 " tainly are indifferent to cold." 



From various sources I glean that its chief diet in a 

 state of nature is insects, but several gizzards examined by 

 P. T. L,. Dodsworth, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., contained berries, 

 seeds, and other vegetable matter. 



In iy02 our member Mr. ' E. W. Harper liberated, 

 eleven specimens at Wimborne, in Dorsetshire, which he had 

 previously imported. Their fate is unknown, excepting two, 

 one being shot, the other drowned. 



In Captivity: The accompanying plate is a reproduc- 

 tion from a photo by Mr. H. WiUiord and illustrates a most 

 interesting episode in his aviary, concerning which he sends 

 the following notes: 



" My Sibias built in a small fir, both birds carrying 

 " nesting material, which consisted of bents, small twigs, and 

 "Lair. The nest was an open cup-shaped structure, lined with 

 "'hair. Only one egg was laid, shnilar to a blackbird's, but 

 " long and narrow, of a dirty cream ground colour, with dark 

 "brown markings, which were lighter at the narrow end. 

 " During the time they were nesting, I found endless numbers 

 "of eggs destroyed, and finally proved them to be the culprits. 

 "The one Qgg hatched in 13 to 14 days, but the chick only 

 " lived two days— after its decease I moved the parents to 

 " another aviary by themselves, but they made no further 

 "attempt at nesting." 



In 1908, in a Bedfordshire aviary this species came 

 much nearer to success, and I quote the following notes from 

 " Bird Notes." Vol. VII. 



The birds were m perfect condition when put out, 

 and had a roomy garden aviary, to themselves, well screened 

 from curious eyes, nevertheless complete success — that is, the 



