Breeding of Sidney Waxhitls. 5 



always in close companionship, and 1 was not sure of my 

 good fortune until the young family was audible, in the montk 

 of June. 



The young birds were very noisy in the nest, almost 

 like Zebra Finches. All three adults would eat very freely 

 of fresh ants' eggs, and would all disappear in the vicinity 

 of the nest. It was difhcult to see the actual entry into 

 the nest, as these birds were more circumspect in this way 

 than any 1 ever kept. The young left the nest very late, 

 being over a month old, and were strong on the wing at 

 their hrst appearance. Unlike baby Zebra Finches they did 

 not return to the nest after the first day or two. In plumage 

 they resembled baby Zebra Finches very closely, being palish 

 grey in colour with black beaks and feet. The parents actu- 

 ally fed them until the characteristic crimson eye-streaks and 

 red beak began to show, fully three weeks after leaving the 

 nesr. This hrst brood consisted of three birds, all of which 

 which were indistinguishable from their parents by September. 



A second brood of three emerged from the nest on 

 September 2ist; two of them were killed by owls on October 

 I 2th, at which time they were still being fed by their parents 

 although showing the crimson eye-marks. Three other Syd- 

 neys shared the same fate on that tragic day. I am left witli 

 four survivors, one being the bird witli the bib, and another 

 being the last of the second brood. So 1 have ho[)es for 

 further success in the coming season. 



Bahloh Aviary Notes, 1916.— Part IV. 



liV M.AjOK (J. A. i'i,Ki<i:.\i', F.Z.S. 

 I propose to wr'itc a feu notes ot some ol my a\.ary 

 birds in a wild state. In some ways we score, as casualties 

 are generally easily replaced but this is also the case when 

 one is breeding British birds in Britain. 



Thk Pied Bush-Chai {Prailncola caprata) is a de- 



idcd acquisition to the aviary. Though very tommon m 



many parts of India, it is seldom tai-;en home, periuips on 



