34§



Mr. R. Philupps,



as if several about, but can see only one.” On August 9th, there

was a very great deal of squeaking, and I was tempted to explore.

The Blue-breasted Waxbills were flitting and pecking about in a

rather open space, and, after several counts, I satisfied myself

that there were not less than seven—a further addition of three—

all looking perfect.* This brings the total of young ones up to

nine, the result of careful preparation in the spring, and an

exemplification of the old law, too often forgotten in these days of

idleness and pleasure-seeking, that as a man sows so shall he

also reap. In this case, the male had regularly applied for food

at the aviary door.


I have referred to the young of the Rakes being so silent,

and to those in the reserved aviary being noisy:—why this

difference? I may suggest two theories :—(1) The young in the

reserved aviary are mostly in a thick leafy clump of bushes and

bushy trees, and need to be incessantly calling out in order that

the parents may know of their whereabouts and that the flock

may not become scattered. In the open aviary, where the birds

can see one another, to call out would be superfluous and would

serve no useful end. (2) In the reserved aviary, the young have

neither fears nor cares, and can open their little joyous hearts

without restraint. In the mixed aviary, there must always be a

little weight on their minds ; at any moment, some heavier bird

working off his exuberant spirits, or it may be only a blundering

Waxwing, may fall like a bomb into their midst and scatter them

as by an explosion ; they cannot be quite such thoughtless child¬

like children as their fellows amidst the leaves.


The nest of this species is a large domed structure of hay,

usually lined with feathers. While building, the birds become

very tame, especially the male, who will boldly come to one for

feathers or anything he may require. They can be watched

while building, but later become secretive—though, as the male

may generally be found sitting on a perch close to the nest, he

unwittingly betrays its situation.


“Three or four eggs are laid,” according to Stark—but he

refers to a nest that had been found by Andersson which con¬

tained five.



* There were four iu this batch, bringing- the total of young at that time up to ten.


—K. P., Sept. 15.



