8 Baldoli Aviary Nofrs—igi6. 



most common in August (eggs). Tlu- cluich is two or thre ■. 

 I have never found tour in a wild nest, thougli I believe 

 four is not uncommon in the plains. 



Prlnia sociaUs is a small grass warbler which ,ilso 

 sojmetimes sews leaves together for its nest. A pair oi these 

 1 took home in 1913. and they went to Mr. Bainbridgc. to 

 whom J jniust apologise for unintentionally calling them Tailor 

 Birds, which 1 then thought they were, not the common one 

 of course. Through the kindness of Mr. Appleby I ^got this 

 pair in Lahore where both species are common and both are 

 called Tailor Birds. They were nice little birds, but not a 

 patch on O. sutorius, and more delicate too, I fancy. Our 

 noisy friend is very hardy and easy to cater for. The pair 

 about our house (one down t'other come on) have always 

 been very noticeable in winter when they seem to subsist 

 chiefl>' on gleanings from the bird table in the verandah and 

 cake thrown out for them, though doubtless they eat wild 

 medlar, and find a few !s|mall insects. At other seasons s'nce 

 we've had a pair in the aviary, the outside pair' have been 

 almost mere noticeable than desiiable ; two pairs talkiag loudly 

 at each other through the wire are a little trying so close 

 to the house. In cage or aviary 1 should almost ..put down 

 cake as their staple diet, not that I'd care to try them, on 

 that alone, but with insect food, of which they eat a deal too, 

 they seem to xetjuire very little live stuff, except, of course, 

 when breeding. They [don't rush for mealworms, though 

 quite glad to hnd one, especially a small one. They like 

 things small, minute crumbs, where other birds iiave carried 

 away fair-sized bits. 



Our Bakloh pair were caught in December, 1913, 

 when snow Ivvas on the ground. Given sheltered corners and 

 boxes under eaves there would be no danger in keeping tjiem 

 in out -door aviaries at home. This pair have 'been left 

 in charge of a very mdifterent bird orderly, and, as you know, 

 are doing Svcll. 1 fancy they pair ior lite as they are gener- 

 ally seen in pairs at all seasons ; ilie hens being shyer arc 

 sometimes not noticed. A pair round our bungalow in Konat 

 iu the cold weather also liad a liard time. Bird food seeni:; 



