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Dr. A. G. Butler,



could be clearly seen. The process of nest building was carried

on in the same manner as with the Black-throated Hemipode,but

the old birds selected a different situation for it.


“ They do not stand or crouch like the latter, but sink the

breast deep on the ground, and erect the hinder part of the body,

so that the tail is directed straight upwards similarly to that of

the doves ; like the latter also they simultaneously make short

tremulous movements with head and neck, whilst they peck

immediately in front of them in the sand or their own breast-

feathers ; at times also shuffling a little with tlieir wings and

uttering soft notes.


The female does her part more zealously and patiently:

the building of the nest continues sometimes for days, sometimes

only for hours. The fourth nest was not quite completed when

the first egg rested in it; it had been laid early—seven o’clock—

by the larger and more beautiful bird, while the male remained

near to it. On each of the three succeeding days an egg was

laid.


On each occassion I was present, and was able to note the

spasmodic movements of the bird, so that no question can exist

in respect to the identification of the sex. When the third, that

is the last egg but one, was laid, the male began to incubate

steadily. During the first days the hen also frequently sat for

some time on the clutch ; later she deputed the development of

the eggs almost entirely, and in the last daj^s altogether, to the

cock ; so that frequently they remained uncovered when the

latter had stood up in order to reach its food. Oil the eleventh

and twelfth days the male appeared to wish to discontinue in¬

cubating. Rendered wise by similar indications in the Black¬

necked Hemipode, I took away the hen, and, to my delight, the

cock went back again into the nest. On the thirteenth day all

four young hatched.


After about two days the male for the first time led out his

marvellously pretty little ones, and immediately brought them

fresh ants’ eggs as food. The latter, as well as the adult birds,

corresponded exactly with the allied species in nature, action,

and deportment. Owing to the almost even greater trustfulness

of the little cock, I was able to watch and admire, in the closest



