148 



taken the violent pairing flights and their being locked together 

 in stern conflict during same for copulation. 



As soon as they were fully paired, the hen began to build 

 in an earthenware nest bowl close against the roof of shed ; 

 the male gave no assistance beyond supplying a little material, 

 he was mostly occupied in pouring out the nuptial song. Four 

 eggs were laid, but by the time the incubation period (14 days) 

 had expired but one remained, this was successfully hatched, 

 the youngster was strong and lusty, but after the first two days 

 they refused to feed. Being taken somewhat by surprise I had 

 no small insects available, and by the time these arrived the 

 3'oungster was dead. 



The fledgeling was blind for the first two days; it was 

 covered with longish yellow hairs, its skin flesh colour with 

 dark blackish-grey patches on the head and wings. 



I have often regretted since I did not repeat the experiment, 

 but in the fall of that year I gave all my British birds their 

 liberty, to make room for an increased number of foreigners. — 

 Ed.] 



THE NEST OF THE vSONG - THRUSH. 

 {Tardus inusicus). 



Many and varied are the .sites selected by the Soug- 

 Thrtish for building its nest — hedges, hedge -bottoms, 

 bushes, butts of trees, heaps of faggots, and often on 

 the grotind. Of the two accompanying photos one nest 

 was built in a heap of faggots and the other in a goose- 

 berry bush. Each will be readily distinguished. The 

 inside of the nest of the Song-Thrush is a mixture of 

 mud, rotten wood, etc. ; it is almost water-tight, and 

 somewhat resembles the inside of a cocoa-ntit shell. 

 This latter will be plainly seen in the two photographs, 

 as will also the spots on the eggs. 



The well-known winning Song-Thrush belonging 

 to Mr. R. J. Howe was taken from a nest btiilt in a 

 rhubarb root. At the time of taking the young the 



