3S6



Mr. Reginald Phillipps,



Mesias’ want of pluck is interesting ; I have noticed the same

thing in Liothrix, which, however, makes up for it in presence

of mind! Iam not surprised they stand the rain well as the

Himalayas are rainy enough in all conscience. You should see

the great tresses of moss on the trees there!”


June 19th, about the day the eggs were due to be hatched,

was not only the coldest day but was likewise very wet ; the

male sat all the day, but I could not detect any signs of young.

On the 20th and 21st, both parents were feeding well, and

appeared to be carrying the food—only mealworms as far as I

could see; but day by day they seemed to be carrying less.

And I observed also how they allowed other birds, of which

there were too many, to come to the nest and inspect its contents,

making perhaps one dash at the intruder but not persevering.

The Yellow Sparrows, Passer luteus, whose home was close by,

were often sitting on the edge of the nest. On the 25th, I felt

and found there was then not less than one young bird alive, and

having satisfied myself on this point I hastily retreated ; and 011

that day at any rate the parents were carrying mealworms. But

the carrying became less frequent; and, on the 28th, on again

feeling, I found the nest quite empty, neither could I find the

slightest trace of eggs or young.


I left this nest as it was, as I wished not to disturb the

place. I tried, however, to drive the Yellow Sparrows out of

the aviary, but signally failed. The rain had caused the

vegetation and foliage to become so dense that I found myself

helpless ; and I had to have regard for other nests and could not

disturb the aviary overmuch.


On July 2, the Mesias were busy building in the same

tree, not much more than a foot from the first, but this nest,

instead of resting on the head of the tree, was slightly above it

and suspended among the upright shoots, and on the 7th they

commenced sitting; but they sat feebly, coming off for meal¬

worms every time I entered the aviary ; and on the 12th the nest

was deserted. It contained but one egg (see figure of egg and

nest), which had the appearance of having been pecked in three

places. Perhaps the birds, weakened by their previous hard-



