on an Avicultural Medley.



225



regards the quality of the material and the site of her nest. On

June 1st I gave her an old blackbird’s nest, which 1 fixed upon a

privet bush. This she immediately appropriated, trying it as one

does a new arm-chair : first she carefully inspected it from every

quarter ; then she sat in it, twisting round and round to find the

most comfortable position. Four days later she had lined the nest

with cocoanut fibre (this material was used each subsequent year, to

the exclusion of all else).


On June 11th the hen was on the nest most of the day. On

the 12th, the nest contained two eggs. The full clutch, they were

small, considering the size of the bird, and of a pale stone colour,

with reddish-brown spots at the thick end.


To quote from my notes:


June 13th : Hen very steady. Cock does not sit or feed


hen.


June 18th : Cock very excited if hen comes off to feed and

utters a new note, but does not attempt to sit himself.


June 25th : Very wet for three days. Not hatched.


June 26th: Half egg-shell found on food shelf inside shelter.

Both birds very insistent for insects, and will not touch fruit or sop.

Mealworms very thoroughly “ chewed up,” and the skins rejected.

A few small gentles taken; fresh ants’ eggs disregarded. Pouring

with rain ; temp. 50° F.


June 27th, a.m.: Hen on nest. Cock feeds her for the first

time with mealworms and green caterpillars (cabbage butterfly).

Later hen off nest, so I inspected nest by means of a looking-glass.

One egg unhatched, and one young chick, naked and flesh-coloured.

Hen returned to nest in my presence, and gave chick a poke with her

bill before settling down. About dusk hen looking very mopey and

is off nest. After a good search, chick found“three yards away from

nest. Looks well nourished. Small bruise on side of head. Age

about 36 hours.


A day or two later both birds began again to eat fruit freely.


I will now curtail my notes, which are somewhat lengthy.


On July 16tli both birds were again searching for some

nesting material, which I had not supplied. So I gave them

numerous spiders’ webs, which they are said to use. These they



