Curious deaths of Shamahs.



147



repairing it for the next. One day she became confused in her

multifarious duties of building and rearing, and—presumably after

carrying a gentle or cockroach to the empty nest—attempted to

feed a young one with a thick grass stem, which choked it.


This, I fear, must not be considered an isolated accident, as

on opening the throat of another young bird, which had died after

neglect by its parents, I found a stout stalk, lodged at the junction

of the gullet with the body, as the cause of death.


The only young Sharnah which was fully reared—being on

the wing for about six weeks of last season—ended her existence by

swallowing a piece of stout white twine, 11 inches long, and with

a double knot at one end ! Her death being a complete mystery,

as she always appeared to be in perfect health, I opened the gizzard,

to find it entirely filled with the twine, rolled up in a compact ball.


The father of the family died in moult, after living with me

for about six years, which is the end of a rather unfortunate chapter.

I am glad to say, however, that I am able to start a new one with

another pair of these birds.


The cock was received in exchange last year from Mr. Holden,

and has been out of doors all the winter. He is a wonderful

songster, and in his repertoire imitates the musical sounds of cats

fighting with extraordinary skill. He also whistles a bar or two of

at least one popular air. His wife (bred here) frequently “ talks ” to

him when the gas is lit within, and black darkness reigns without,

and it is quite amusing, in the silence of the night, to hear an

occasional sleepy reply from the aviary.



THE INDIAN GREY TIT.


By W. Shore Baily.


The Indian Grey Tit (Parus atriceps ) is a Himalayan species.

It has been fairly frequently imported, but only in small numbers,

and it is consequently never very cheap. About the end of 1915

I purchased a pair from a dealer, one of which arrived dead ; and as

these were the only ones he had, I was unable to replace it.



