2 l8



Dr. A. G. Butler,



by two pairs, sixteen nestlings, of which twelve grew to maturity;

and again in 1896 reared twelve young.


In the following translation, where I have introduced

asterisks to indicate a hiatus, the missing words merely refer to a

previous page in Dr. Russ’ book. This author commences the

account as follows :—


First-Lieutenant Hauth wrote to me :—“ I cannot re¬

member, during my many years experience in breeding, to have

attained in so unusually short a time, so rapid, decided, success¬

ful and easily acquired a brood.”


Of the best Hemipodes which reached him, he, on the

fifth day, placed two males and a female in the birdroom, after

he had removed the other little game-birds in order to induce

them to breed more quickly.


“ They were extremely tame, confiding and sensible birds,

and without hesitation selected the clear vacant spaces, never

investigating the close coverts arranged with little trees and reed-

grass. They only made use of their wings if a violent sudden

scare alarmed them ; but when they had become completely

domiciled, they chiefly strove to meet the threatened danger by

crouching down : they were singularly more gentle and calm

than their relatives. They evidently felt comfortable in their

home.


The room was promenaded in active manner with graceful

movements, and a sand-bath was frequently taken . . . .; a titbit

resigned to the male by his mate, when summoned to her side

with gentle tender tones. In addition to the varieties of seed . .

. . they like shelled rice and husked millet; mealworms and

fresh ants’ eggs are of course extremely welcome to them, as

also egg-food. They drink in the same manner as the Black¬

necked Hemipode. In hot weather they delight to lie for a

considerable time in the dry sand ; sometimes also stretched at

full length in the wet sand at the bathing-place.


After two or three days the breeder had already observed

that one of the males was chased without malice if it approached

the two other birds : he took it out, and the remaining pair were

always affectionate to each other. The female seemed somewhat

more excited, yet not so boisterous as the Black-throated species



