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On Reeve Breeding in Confinement.



REEVE {Pavoncella pugnax ) BREEDING IN

CONFINEMENT.


By W. H. St. Quintin, F.Z.S.


A Reeve, one of two, which with a Ruff inhabits one of

my aviaries, where they have been for some four years, has

reared three young this summer. This Reeve has more than once

previously nested, but her eggs have always been disturbed by

other occupants of the aviary ; though last year one young one

was hatched, but it never completely freed itself from the shell,

and soon died. The Reeve forsook her first clutch this spring,

having been interfered with, as we thought, by some inquisitive

Nutcrackers. But by the time she laid again the grass was well

grown up, and the nest escaped notice. Seeing that the bird

was sitting very steadily I removed most of the other birds,

including a Landrail and some Stouecurlews, which I thought

might be dangerous companions.


The young were hatched on June 25th, and at once left

the nest. There was at this time a great deal of cover, including

rank grass, in the aviary, and it was not easy to see the young,

especially as the mother always kept repeating the alarm note

when one was near ; but by patiently watching, especially in the

evenings, they could sometimes be seen climbing about the

tussocks and bunches of grass, often several inches off the

ground, picking off flies and minute insects ; while the parent

kept guard, driving off any other bird that came too near,

including the Ruff, who met with no more consideration than

the others.


Though the foodpans were kept well supplied, we could

not see that at that time they were ever visited by the young birds,

though the parent fed freely from them. There is no doubt that

the little ones supported themselves entirely on what insects they

picked up, without any assistance or guidance from the old bird.


Until they became fledged, the young crept about, and

squatted so closely, that we had to use the greatest caution in

moving about in the aviary. As soon as they were fledged (they



