184 On the Habits of Paradoxornis lieudei. 



reproduce away from its cliosen reed-beds, where an isolation 

 as complete as that of any insular form readily accounts for 

 the absence of intermediate links between itself and its 

 nearest allies. 



From the foregoing it will be observed that the following 

 conditions appear to be necessary to the continued existence 

 of the species : — 



{a) The existence of the reeds themselves. 



(b) A sufficiency of food in the vicinity during IMarch and 



April, when practically all the reeds have been 

 harvested 



(c) An elevated position of nest. 



(flf) Continued immunity from persecution. 



Concerning a, b, and c, there is little to be said that has 

 not already been explained in the foregoing pages, a is 

 certainly a somewhat arbitrary statement ; nevertheless, for 

 the reasons given, and for others beyond the scope of this 

 paper, which only personal acquaintance with the birds and 

 the local conditions can give, I think it is justifiable. 



With regard to d, there is more to be said. Natural 

 enemies are probably not a serious consideration. During 

 the period of reproduction, the birds are safeguarded against 

 terrestrial enemies by the annual flooding of the reed-beds, 

 and although the reeds swarm with mice, who rear their 

 offspring in elevated ball-nests during the summer-time, it 

 is unlikely that any abnormal plague of larger rodents, which 

 miffht arise either from natural causes or at the hand of 

 mankind, could survive the summer floods. 



In summer there are few winged enemies, and in winter, 

 although Sparrow-Hawks, Buzzards, and Harriers abound, 

 it is evident that they do not take undue toll of Para- 

 doxornis, nor is there reason to foresee an abnormal increase 

 of birds-of-prey in the district. 



The vital point is that the species should continue to be of 

 no importance to mankind ; for, with the bird's indifi'erence 

 to his presence, decimation could very easily be accom- 

 plished towards the end of the reed-cutting in January and 



