274 Mr. E. P. Ramsay's Notes on Birds breeding 



rather roundish, being in length '6 in., by '5 in breadth. The 

 breeding-season, which commences sometimes as early as July, 

 lasts until the end of December, during which time three broods 

 are often raised. 



The Spotted Diamond-bird has only three cries, all distinct 

 enough and easily imitated. The first is a double piping cry 

 resembling "pee pee," "pee pee," — the first part of it repeated 

 in a high note, the second in the next lower note to it. The 

 second is its call-note, uttered chiefly when the bird is perched on 

 some high bough ; it consists of the first part of the first double 

 note, and then it drops suddenly into the last of the second part 

 and ends it abruptly, like " pee-pweet " -, this it continues for a 

 considerable time. Its last cry is a very low mournful " pee-e-e," 

 uttered chiefly when anything disturbs or approaches its nest. 

 These are the only three calls I have ever heard the bird make. 

 They answer freely to either of the first two (which are much 

 used by collectors when procuring specimens), and when whistled 

 to will come down from the highest trees. 



No species falls a prey to the bird-killing youths more easily 

 than this pretty Diamond-bird. Their tameness and fearless- 

 ness, especially during the breeding-season, surpasses that of 

 any other land-bird with which I am acquainted. They are 

 frequently knocked down with a hat or cap, either held in the 

 hand or thrown at them as they hop along to the end of the 

 twigs of some small bush ; catching them when they enter their 

 nests is another mode of destruction, which is sometimes resorted 

 to to obtain perfect specimens for skinning. The young, which 

 get their living with their first plumage, are not unfrequently 

 taken, but seldom live in confinement more than a few months. 



What is doubtless the same pair of birds will come to the same 

 bank year after year to build, but always dig fresh holes. 



In October 1863 a pair took possession of a heap of white 

 sand which had been left for a few days by the side of a plant- 

 frame in Dobroyde garden, quite close to the house ; and in 

 spite of the sand falling in upon them several times they suc- 

 ceeded in digging a hole upwards of two feet in length, when, un- 

 fortunately, the sand was removed. Although people were pass- 

 ing constantly to and fro, and the gardener busy with his plants 



