4°



Mr. Ralph A. Holden,



Stork (Ciconia alba).


I add tliis species to this list, because a pair have been

under my constant observation, living in Kew Gardens, close to

my house, for the last ten years. They nested and reared their

young for the first time in 1902 (see Field , 1902, Aug.) and have

continued to do so annually, losing their brood in three years.

I counted the other day seven birds, the two old and five

survivors of the last three successful broods; others had been

given or flown away. The old birds are pinioned, but have the

run of the garden, where, 110 doubt they destroy a large number

of mice and young rats.



NOTES ON A HYBRID BETWEEN


HYPHANTORN 1 S CUCULLATUS and


HYP HAN PORN IS SPIL ON O PUS.


By Ralph A. Holden, F.Z.S.


In the November number of the Avicultural Magazine for

last year (p. 33) I described the nesting of a pair of Spotted-backed

Weavers ( Hyphantornis spilonotus ) and the hatching of one

young bird, which, however, was unfortunately not reared.


The old birds remained outside all the winter, the cock

assuming his full colour early in the year—I think in March.

No effort at nesting was made by the birds and the cock seemed

quite disinclined to build before June. Early in the month he

died, and I spent some time endeavouring to replace him, but

without success. Finally, about the 1 Stli of June, I took a cock

Rufous-necked Weaver (//. cucullaius ) from the Zoological

Gardens, and placed him with the old hen in a garden aviary

some twenty feet square with indoor shelter.


The birds appeared to pair within a day of the introduction

of the cock, who immediately started to weave nests. None of

these were approved of by the hen, until a nest was commenced

atrd finished in the top of a thorn tree some eight feet high.

This nest was also attached to the wire-netting of the roof, and

was within a few inches of the site of last year’s nest, which had

been cut dowtr for preservation.


The exterior of the nest (which was very similar to that of



