Notes on some Birds in Coiifijiement.



37



members of the family, while children and dolls are objects of

jealous hatred, and furiously attacked.


Red-backed Shrike (.Lanins collurio).


A pair were bought as nestlings in July, 1903, and are

still with me in perfect health ; the}'' are therefore at this date

7 years and 4 months old. These birds nested altogether six

times, rearing our of their broods ; their nesting in 1904 and

1905 has been described in the Aviculturcil Magazine .


They again reared their young in the two following years.

In 1908 they were not allowed to nest; but in 1909 they produced

again three young which were killed by cold and heavy rain¬

storms before they were fully fledged. This year, which has been

fatal to so many broods of birds, they commenced their nesting

operations as late as the middle of June, and left the nest un¬

finished without even laying an egg. I am afraid both birds are

now getting too old for reproduction, although they do not show

an outward sign of failing health.


The hen bird went through some adventures ; she escaped

from her aviary at Kew late in the autumn of 1907. I am in¬

formed by Mr. W. Frost, the ornithological collector, that she

was caught by a Hammersmith bird-catcher on Barnes Common,

and was rescued by him. Mr. Frost kindly restored her to me

in the following summer. Her conduct on returning to her old

home, as well as a scar at the base of the upper mandible were

sufficient evidence as to her identity.


Robin (Erithaczis nubecula).


Male rescued from a cat, lived for 4 years in the common

Warblers’ cage.


Blue-throat (Cyanecula suecica).


An imported bird, lived for 3 years in an outdoor aviary.

Nightingale (Daulias luscinia).


A nestling reached an age of 3 years and 4 months in a

double-sized Warblers’ cage ; it was a male, but its song was very

imperfect.


IvESSER White-throat (Sylvia curruca ).


Reared from nest, lived in a Warblers’ cage 1 year and

6 months.



