Wonders of the birds' nests.



109



with yellowish underside, and generally there were several specimens

together.


In that same wood I met numerous examples of the curious

black-brown thick-billed finch ( Amblyospiza albifrons), also little

families of Colins striatus, and, occasionally, sitting in a conspicuous

place, a white and black Lanins collaris.


But I am straying away from the sunbirds, and if I shonld

begin to tell about all the interesting birds which I saw in S. Africa

the editor would soon call me to order ; * and about the sunbirds in

their native country I have told about all my experiences. About

tame specimens of Cinnyris chalybeus, which I brought home, I will

only add that they are the most charming pets one can imagine ; I

ought to say, were , as alas ! they have died, generally very suddenly •

one day full of life and full of song, the next sitting fluffy and

showing the yellow side tufts, and dead during the evening or the

night following.


Gooilust, Sept. 19th, 1915.


P.S.—I have not made a distinction between the greater and lesser

double-banded sunbird ( Cinnyris afer and chalybeus). Those

I saw at Capetown certainly belonged to^the lesser species,

as Cinnyris afer does not occur there. As in other places

where I saw double-handed sunbirds, both forms may occur,

I wish to say that I am unable to say positively which form

was seen.



WONDERS OF THE BIRDS NESTS.


By Felix J. Koch.


“ Don’t know what to do with yourself some splendid late

autumn or winter afternoon, when the sun is shining brightly in at

the window, calling for a ramble?” Then, why not go out and

study birds’ nests ?


Birds’ nests in winter, with the trees banked with ice! Yes,

indeed, and for many reasons, To begin with, ■ you can find birds’

nests from afar in the winter-time, when the leaves are off tree and


— *On the contrary, we hope very much that we may have many more

articles.—ED.



