on the Ruby-throated Bulbul.



237



twit, too-wit, tiddle-de-wink, tell-me-where-are-you, and other

calls, quite unlike her usual self. This restlessness continued

all through the summer ; she would have been off and away after

a mate if she had had the chance, after the manner of the mate¬

less free bird. It was at this time that she gave utterance to

those wild bell-like calls which I have already alluded to.


For long long after the departure of the Mesia, his well

known call Wife: you-just-covie-here (N.S. I., p. 381) might still be

heard in the garden and bird room—not, indeed, as of yore,

shouted in imperative dictatorial voice, in a voice so masterful,

and yet so precious because so masterful, but borne softly on the

wind, like a whisper in the ear, as a murmur in the trees, a dream

in the stillness of the night, in a tone soft and still, in a note

passing sweet and gentle, so full of love and tender reminiscences*

Whence came it ? was it from his wraith ? an echo from the

tomb? Was he haunting his old beloved home where he had

spent so many happy hours? Alas! no; it was his poor little

widowed Ruby, disconsolate, forlorn, mourning over his dis¬

appearance, and repeating to herself his familiar words. Who

shall say that her appealing calls for a mate were for any mate !

peradventure they were intended but for one ear ! And the fact

remains that from that time up to this day she has remained

isolated and alone, happy enough in a quiet humdrum sort of

way, but— alone.


Commencing in January, 1906, and continuing for about a

fortnight, again in March for some twelve days, yet again in July,


1 and lasting on this occasion for over three weeks, and once more

I •


in August for many days, my Ruby-throated Bulbul became

broody and went to “nest,” and sat as diligently and persever-

1 ingly as any barn door fowl ; and at recurring periods during

I 1907 and 1908 she behaved in a similar manner. At first I used

to drive her off, as I feared her health might suffer, but my

! efforts to stop her were in vain ; sometimes she just wouldn’t

move but showed fight, more often she would flit on to the

nearest perch, give a twttter, stretch her limbs, take a “ taste,”

and return to duty with unruffled composure.


No attempt to build a nest was made ; and not an egg was

laid, as far as is known, until 1908. The “ nest ” in every case was



