142 JUNGLE FOLK 



likely that a pair of white-eyes bring up more than 

 two broods in the year. These facts, when taken in 

 conjunction with the wide distribution of the species, 

 indicate that the white-eye meets with exceptional 

 success in rearing its young. The nest is usually well 

 concealed in the depths of a leafy bush. Squirrels and 

 lizards must find the suspended nursery difficult of 

 access. In addition to this we must bear in mind that 

 white-eyes are plucky little creatures. Mr. Ball 

 describes how he saw one of them attacking a rose- 

 finch, a vastly more powerful bird, and drive it away 

 from the flowers of the mohwa, which form a favourite 

 hunting-ground of the white-eye. 



As I have repeatedly stated, pugnacity is a more 

 valuable asset than protective colouration in the 

 struggle for existence. 



Lastly, the white-eye appears able to thrive under 

 greatly varying conditions of climate. 



These advantages possessed by white-eyes, I think, 

 explain why the clutch of eggs is so small. 



White-eyes make excellent pets. They will live 

 amicably along with amadavats in a cage. Finn is my 

 authority for saying that soft fruit, bread and milk, 

 and small insects are all the food required by white-eyes, 

 and they are so easy to keep that many specimens are 

 sent to Europe. 



