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This pair were placed in a warm aviary, and it soon

became evident that they wished to commence house-keeping :

they became bold towards their companions, and the cock would

now and then take a piece of hay in his bill, holding it at its

extreme end, and dance before his lady-love in a most grotesque

manner.


A nest-basket was neatly lined with hay, and the

operations of laying and hatching appeared to be progressing

in a satisfactory manner. Both birds were now decidedly

pugnacious towards any other bird that approached the nest,

dashing at all intruders, heedless of consequences. A Diamond

Dove had no more right near the nest than had the smallest

Waxbill, and each and all had to shift. However, in the case of

Bathilda mficmida, as with many other birds, the bark is worse

than the bite, and this little pair were never known to actually

inflict any bodily harm.


Days and weeks went by, but no youngsters made their

appearance ; surely it was quite time for them to show themselves

if, indeed, there were any there. One day both birds were seen

feeding at some distance from the nest and the opportunity w 7 as

taken to peep, as it was hoped, at the nestlings. Alas, however,

the nest contained no young Rufous-tails ; nothing, in fact, but

some minute fragments of egg-shell. The inference was clear

enough— eggs had been laid and had been devoured, and by the

Rufous-tails themselves.


In May the pair was placed in a good-sized aviary in the

garden, and although some bitter weather (for the time of the

year) was experienced at the end of that month and the early

part of June, the cold did not appear to distress them in the

least; Amongst the branches that are thickly fastened against

the walls of the aviary, a domed nest was quickly constructed,

about the size and shape of an Ostrich’s egg, and built in an

upright position. It was composed of hay, and lined with

feathers. The foundation was strongly built, but the dome was

a flimsy concern and the sitting bird could be seen through it.

Eggs were laid, but, as before, eaten : yet the hen (who was

probably the culprit) continued to sit diligently, and, whenever

she left the nest to feed, the cock would immediately take

possession of the imaginary eggs and steadily try to hatch them.


The unfortunate habit of egg-eating seems to be common

with the Rufous-tailed Grassfinch : Miss Hodgson has mentioned

it on page 58 of Vol. IV., and Mr. Savage, of Rouen, has

informed the writer that it has been noticed by aviculturists on

his side of the Channel. If it were not for this habit there



