AND OTHER BIRDS 121 



attempted to impart to the eggs his extra 

 warmth, she remained placid. Even when, 

 head to tail, he sat bodily on top of her, she 

 endured him unmoved and still serene. 



After the birth of the first chick had happened 

 and the shell had been removed, the male at 

 once busied himself in obtaining supplies. 

 Possibly within five minutes of birth, probably 

 within seven, and certainly under ten minutes, 

 the cock bird had brought, and the chick received, 

 a green caterpillar. Whilst it was being given, 

 I noticed that the hen only momentarily moved 

 aside, remaining on the nest's rim ready at once 

 to re-seat herself. The male immediately flew 

 off for further supplies, and brought back this 

 time a small brownish grub. This, either because 

 the hen bird feared he was over-feeding the new 

 hatched chick, or more probably because this 

 offering was unsuitable to its baby stomach, 

 mince pie, say, instead of Mellins' food for 

 infants, the hen bird refused to pass. She sat 

 firm on the nest, and quite a little fencing match 

 occurred between the rival bills of the parents, 

 he resolved to give it, she equally resolved that 

 it should not be given. At length he was over- 

 borne, and desisted. The grub was taken from 

 him; and, as if to end all unkindness and to 

 finish the pother, swallowed by the hen herself. 

 Quite a wrong impression would be given of the 

 connubial disputation, if it should be thought that 

 any snatching or pulling about of the grub took 

 place. To me, the cock seemed rather to yield 

 because he was on reflection respecting the judg- 

 ment of his partner. During the little sparring 

 match the birds were perfectly friendly. I feel 

 sure the hen knew it was but too great anxietv 



