188 Notes from an Amateur In Ceylon 



principal breeding successes are, alas ! only with the duller types 

 of birds, such as Miinia malacca, Bengalee and Java Sparrows; 

 of the latter an old white hen who was given me when at least 

 four years old, mated with a young grey cock, rearing suc- 

 cessfully several broods, she dying at the ripe age of eight years. 

 A little light-pied Bengalee hen, has reared several broods, 

 having for her mate a Spice Finch ( Munia puiictulata), curiously 

 enough everyone of her children, and also the white Java's are 

 of the duller colouring of their respective fathers, showing no 

 white. This Bengalee hen is very ridiculous when " broody," 

 hastening to get her bath and feeding over, suggesting an 

 hysterica] moth. 1 am very disappointed that so far the Pekin 

 Robins, Red-vented Bulbuls and Weavers (these being Bayas, 

 Madagascar cock and Napoleon hen) have never bred. These 

 common Bulbuls are the greatest friends with all their wild 

 brethren who court them, or have furious battles through the 

 wires, and make their own nests within a few yards. 



The Cingalese consider these birds as select as Mynas 

 because they talk so well; I was rather astonished to find this 

 is true, although my own do not talk, having too many other 

 interests I suppose. 



My two handsome Red-whiskered Bulbuls do not breed, 

 and cannot be a pair I fear; I hope to get some more from a 

 friend in the Nilgiris Hills. I had a pair of white Eye-browed 

 Bulbuls (Pyciioiiotiis lutcoliis), olive green birds with a pecu- 

 liar loud cry; they proved to be most truculent inhabitants of an 

 aviary, I was quite glad when one died, as the solitary one is 

 more subdued. 



It seems impossible to procure or catch the many really 

 lovely birds which one often sees, such as Malabar Fruit- 

 Suckers, Orange Minivets, Paradise Flycatchers. Black-capped 

 Green-Bulbuls and other gems; it makes one rather long to 

 have some of them, although being so beautiful in their wild 

 state, one would be grieved if captivity harmed or killed them. 



I have been brought at various times many kinds of 

 birds, of wdiich some were Sunbirds, young Red Woodpeckers 

 and a family of (lolden Orioles; but I have successfully kept 

 but few, many being temporarily injured, or unable to learn 

 to feed in captivity, in spite of all I could do — so I release most 



