of the Pmyle Gallinule in Captivity. 503 



Porphyrios are kept covers an area of about 40 square yards, 

 and is surrounded and covered in with wire-netting. It 

 adjoins a little lake, and has clumps of bamboo [Bambusa 

 mitis) growing in it^ which afford ample shade and shelter, 

 and aid in rendering the environment somewhat similar to 

 that of the birds' natural habitat. 



Returning to my starting-point, I may say that I first 

 noticed one of the birds sitting on a nest about the 25th 

 of December last, and a day or two afterwards, availing 

 myself of a moment when fhe nest was uncovered, I was able 

 to peep into it and saw that it contained two eggs, a number 

 which was increased to three on the following day. Three 

 eggs are undoubtedly the full complement of this species. 

 Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, incubation 

 proceeded regularly and uninterruptedly until the 18th 

 January, when the three eggs were hatched, the chicks 

 beginning to run about a little the same day, although the 

 old hen endeavoured to keep them under her wings as 

 much as possible, instinctively fearing, no doubt, that the 

 cold might be too severe for them. The old male bird also 

 was most assiduous in his care of the brood, and both parents 

 would rush at any one approaching the enclosure, clamorously 

 protesting at the intrusion. I would here say that I thought 

 at first that the male bird took part in the incubation of the 

 eggs, but subsequent observation leads me to think that he 

 does not do so as a rule, although he may occasionally go 

 on to the nest ; in fact, I have once or twice seen both the 

 old birds on the nest at the same time ! After the first day 

 or two the young chicks began to move about more, and also 

 to peck a little at the food supplied to them, although, as a 

 rule, they seemed to be fed by the parent birds, and this 

 continued until quite recently. Excessively shy at first, the 

 little things would run off" and hide themselves immediately 

 anyone appeared in sight, thus demonstrating the natural and 

 hereditary timidity of the species. The only sound I have 

 heard these chicks utter has been an occasional chirp, not 

 unlike that of a young Sparrow. 



The plumage of the chick in its first stage consists entirely 



2uz 



