on the Breeding of the African White-Eye. 275


frail, but it served its purpose admirably. The cock did most of the

nest-building, but the hen certainly did a great deal of the final

touching up.


Finally, on April 18th the first egg was laid, and by its size

one might have suspected the wrong bird had laid in the nest. It

was, as already described, more elliptical than oval and of a very pale

greenish blue colour. The hen began to sit as soon as the first egg

was laid, and subsequent events proved the unwisdom of this. The

birds took turns to sit and I don’t remember ever seeing the cock

feed the hen on the nest. I doubt if he ever did. 4 ’


On Thursday, April 22nd, there were three eggs, and this

was the first time I had seen the nest untenanted, as the birds sat

very tight.


Nothing of note happened until April 24th, when the hen

bird looked very puffy and I feared I was going to lose her. How¬

ever, it passed off and by April 27th she was well again, but one

egg had disappeared. I don’t think there are any mice there, and

there are no reputed egg'-eaters in the aviary.


Excitement was running high on April 29th, for I noticed the

Zosterops were feeding, but I did not like to risk too close an in¬

spection, besides which both birds never left the nest at the same

time. However, on April 30th, I seized my opportunity and saw

two whitish little birds, not a vestige of clothing on and with long

necks which shot up and simply quivered with suppressed excitement

and expectation. The young were obviously very vigorous and

healthy. Even at this stage one young one appeared older than the

other—about 24 hours I should say. The parents fed the young on

small gnats, flies, etc., which fortunately abounded at the time.

The weather was simply perfect. Not a drop of rain and bright hot

sun all day. The Fates were propitious this time and I felt confident

of their help.


The little birds grew rapidly until May 4th, when I noticed

that the young were still flesh-coloured but with very dark-coloured

feather tracts. Eyes not yet open.


On May 5th I had a very thorough examination, as a good


* When the birds nested again the cock bird did feed the hen on the nest, but

not as a regular practice.



