Nesting Notes on the Blackbird.



259



worms herself, instead of giving them to the young as she had

been doing, and wished I could take her away and let the cock

feed the baby or babies, but I have had no experience in breeding

these birds and did not know what was best to do. There was

only one baby. When I examined the nest later on I found

another egg but it was spoiled.


The Blackbirds had still another try at nesting, quite late

in the season, but I do not think there was even an egg laid. I

much wanted to see if the young would be all black or develope

white feathers like the mother.


As soon as the weather turned cold in November the hen

drove away the cock and would not let the poor thing feed or

have any peace, so I opened the door of the aviary and he was

very glad to fly into the other part of the room, quite away from

the hen, where I let him pass the winter, as it was warmer and

more cheerful for him. He is a fine bird with a brilliant yellow

beak, but has not got very tame. At the beginning of this

month (April) I let him fly into the room where the pied bird

is still living, but she would have nothing to do with him for

some time. Only about a week ago she tolerated him in her

aviary, and now they are again nesting in earnest. I think the

hen was busy this morning laying an egg, and poor Mr. cock is

again in close attendance, and never gets a mealworm for himself.

I have not much hope of rearing a bird even if one should be

hatched, as I suspect they require more insect food than it is

possible for me to give them, and that my hen will not have

sufficient patience to bring up a baby.


Perhaps some of our readers will give me some hints about

feeding and management of soft bills when nesting, they will be

thankfully received.


The cock sings sweetly to his wife, but it is not his full

song at present.


Since the above was written I have an unfortunate sequel

to record. On the 22nd May, I left the door of the aviary open

and the hen escaped. Although she remained in the garden for

three days I could not catch her and she has now quite dis¬

appeared. In the nest was one young bird just hatched and five

eggs, one of them chipped !



