Notes.



67



unfortunately the hen bird was killed by Mr. Falkner’s dingo when

she was picking up grit on a path.


Mr. Falkner adds that he managed to secure another “ hen,”

but it turned out to be a cock !


Mr. George Low writes that when he was staying with a

friend on an island on Lough Erne last May, he essayed the rearing

of four Willow Warblers from the nest. They did quite well on yolk

of egg and May-flies until in an evil moment he took the advice given

in a book, and added a very little milk and biscuit, with the result

that all died except one. The survivor was brought home to Kings¬

town and put in a large cage, from which the little bird constantly

was allowed to come out, and would fly on to Mr. Low’s book,

writing-paper, or shoulders, and was altogether fascinating. The

contents of a butterfly-net were liberated sometimes, when the Willow-

Warbler showed himself marvellously expert at catching every insect.

It happened that there was a young family of Willow Warblers in

the neighbourhood, which used to come on to the roof of the aviary

outside the window, and “ Mickey ” was quickly discovered. The

wild birds used to fly up, to his great annoyance, and cling to the

wire-netting with which the top of the window sash is replaced when

the window is open.


Mr. Low wanted a wild male, so he cut a small square in the

netting, and supported a small door with a piece of stick and cord

attached.


Sitting in his arm-chair, he very soon caught two of the

Willow Warblers. The sequel made him wish he had left them at

liberty, The two wild-caught birds looked happy in the aviary for

about two months, catching every insect that made its appearance,

but they also apparently partook too freely of the biscuit portion of

the insectile food and died from fatty degeneration of the liver,

although looking outwardly in splendid condition. And poor

“ Mickey,” the hand-reared Willow Warbler, dropped off his perch

one night from a fit of apoplexy.


Mr. Low comes to the conclusion that tender warblers should

not be mixed with other birds, as their correct mixture of food

cannot be given.



