338 On Zosterops going to Nest in Captivity.


themselves with, but did not expect much work to be done. The

little Zosterops both made themselves very busy carrying it

about, and began building in the little cage, but the tragic death

of the cock put an end to my hopes. I found him on Saturday

morning, June iotli, dead on the floor, and in this case the

verdict was murder; he had been killed by a blow on the head,

either from another bird or from an accident. As all my birds,

excepting one —a very gentle Alario Finch—had been with the

Zosterops from the first, I did not, I am sorry to say, secure the

hen at once ; she looked bad, but I thought it was another egg,

and this proved to be the case. On Monday morning I found

another beautiful little blue egg on the stove guard, under the

cage where they were trying to nest. As the egg was unbroken

I suppose it could not have been thrown out; the weather was

rather cold about then, and the stove was alight, so perhaps the

bird sat on the guard for warmth. On Tuesday I had intended

giving her my house pet for a mate, but that very morning found

her too dead on the floor, and the verdict was the same—murder.

Both birds were pronounced by the naturalist who examined

them to be in perfect health and beautiful condition. I can only

suspect a pair of Bengalese, who had a nest close by, of doing

the evil deed : they never appeared to molest anything, and I had

had them a long time ; but as the Zosterops were of a very lively

and interfering nature—regular little busy-bodies indeed—it is

possible the Bengalese may have struck at them if they visited

their nest, as I believe they did. It seems probable that if these

charming little creatures could have a large aviary or room

devoted to their separate use they would nest, and possibly rear

their young, supposing plenty of small insects, blight, &c., could

be provided. Personally I believe they would do well during

the Summer out of doors, and should much like to try the

experiment.


I have not described my birds, but no doubt their appear¬

ance is well known to members, and the description of the

Indian variety in Dr. Butler’s book (“ Foreign Bird-Keeping,”

part I. p. 20) would stand for mine, excepting that the flanks in

mine incline more to chestnut than to grey.


Perhaps some members of the Society can suggest a reason



