Furhter Notes on the Black-cheekecL Lovebird. 153


one described ; a few days later, on taking a second peep, I found

that a “ corkscrew” had been arranged, which to a considerable

extent shut off the interior of the nest from view.


Some of the nests have been built on concealed ledges,

and in boxes lying sideways. A vast amount of stuff is used in-

some of these cases, varying according to the size of the place,

but all of these are constructed on the same principle. The

receptacle is closed up towards the back by a wall or barrier, with

a regular glacis externally, only just a tiny hole being left, on

the most sheltered side, at the extreme top of the breastwork;

then an abrupt fall to the very bottom in the interior, where, in

a small and carefully lined nest, the eggs are deposited. The

second nest of the cripple (p. 36 of last November) was built in

such a box, in the garden, at the top of the open aviary. Then

came frost, the rime lying on the roof within a few inches of the

nest; and, fearing disaster to mother and child (three clear eggs,

one nestling), I took down the box. Being unable to insert

my hand from the front, I prised off the back, and the interior

was fully exposed to view, The brave little cripple, not able to

gather bark, had built the bulk of the very solid barrier of hay,

which was closely compacted together, the nest being as cleverly

lined with the same material as that of any Lark or other soft-bill

might have been. But in this as in every case sticks were like¬

wise used, chiefly to top the barrier and protect the entrance hole.


I may mention here that I carried the cripple’s nestling

into the birdroom, placing it in various receptacles, out of each of

which it clambered and hid itself away. Times without number

I drove the broken-hearted mother from where the nest had been

into the birdroom, occasionally shutting her in for a while, but

three days elapsed before she found out and recognised her lost

child. From the moment of recognition, she practically never

left it, and succeeded in rearing a splendid bird. For some three

days I had to mouth-feed this little imp ; and I am very proud of

m}'- foster child.


The eggs of this species vary considerably in shape, even

in the same nest: elongated and pointed and also short stout

ovals, and likewise the perfectly true oval, may be found. The

usual number of a clutch is four ; but the mothers would seem



