on the Nesting of the Black Redstart. 297


this position, they suddenly cowered in evident alarm without

any apparent cause except perhaps a small dark shadow which

passed overhead. A few days later those Blue-Tits lay still

and stiff. Then I thought of that dark shadow : it was the

shadow of Tites, the Avenger: But I could never catch Tites

at his deadly work, for Tites is an assassin, subtle, stealthy and

secret.


I also noted that the Black Redstart delights to lurk in the

darkest corner—a ledge under and close to the roof by prefer¬

ence—and decided that that would be the best position for the

nest-box. I made several experiments to determine the best

form for the latter, one being after the model of a chalet and

quite ornamental, but the only one that seemed to attract was

the simple box with an opening at the top, which may be seen

in the photo. I also made many experiments with different

forms of insect food and came to the conclusion that it would

not be difficult to rear the young.


Having decided that it would be worth while giving the

species a trial, the next thing was to look round for a breeding

hen, the one that I had not being of the required type. One

was sent me the same autumn which looked very promising, and

the following spring I caught up this bird and the old male

(whom we will call Tites) and placed them temporarily in an

empty cage in the bird-room whilst I cleared out a few birds

from the smaller aviary to which I intended to transfer them.

But the Fates were against me that day. The housemaid, who

feeds my birds, discovered them and thought that I had forgotten

to feed them : when I returned I found an open door and Tites

in sole possession of that cage.


( To be continued).



