on Breeding of the Blue-bi'easted Waxbills. 349


And now I may bring my story to a close by relating a

little incident that occurred last night, August n,—a very little

incident, but one which may be interesting to those who love

birds.


The Rakes have been rebuilding their last nest, and yester¬

day both were on guard on a perch just outside, so presumably an

egg had been deposited.


A little before dark, I peeped into the aviary to see if all

were right. Round a projecting corner of the house, and quite

away from and out of sight of the nest, at the very top of a corner

of the aviary, with sheltering boards, there are some perches

which are arranged one below another in the form of steps.


On the little top step, the two elder fledgelings were asleep,

side by side.


On the next step below was one of the young Pied Rock-

Thrushes, “ pointing.” The baby Blue-breasted Waxbills had

ousted it from its usual perch, and with great amiability it had

taken a lower seat.


On the next step were the three younger fledglings, all

rolled up together in a lump.


And below were the parents—the whole forming, on this

lovely summer evening, a beautiful picture of sweet repose.


But there was one uneasy spirit in that little flock, for the

loving mother had a divided heart.


The father understood that he was in charge of the children,

and he planted himself down in a most determined manner: he

was not going to be tempted from the post of duty.


The mother nestled down at his side; then, starting up,,

she darted off round the corner to inspect the nest; having

satisfied herself that all was right, back she came, only again

and again to start up and dash off on a visit of inspection. But

darkness was coming on apace, and she must needs decide

between her two loves without further delay—and this is what

she did.


Just opposite to the corner of the house, far removed from

both of the sacred spots but commanding a view of each, is a dead

tree; and, finally, in a fork of this tree she settled down for the



