278 On the Breeding of the African White-Eye.


white ring round the eye. The tail was growing rapidly and the

little fellow rapidly becoming independent of its parents, taking flights

on its own account. Parents no longer so anxious to feed their off¬

spring ; in fact the cock became quite an egoist. The hen only feeds

the young one very occasionally and then he helps himself and is no

longer crammed.


By May 18th both old birds actively building a new nest and

the young bird flourishing in spite of continued and torrential rains.


May 22nd. A later note shows my young Zosterops search¬

ing for insects among the trees and shrubs. The hen bird has

completely forsaken her child. The old birds have completed a new

nest as beautiful as the old one, and already there is an egg in it.

The cock however still gives the adolescent Zosterops an occasional

tit-bit and they chum up together on cold days. The tail-feathers

are nearly complete, but there is no mistaking the young bird for he

looks quite unlike his parents. The white eye is now distinctly

indicated. Since May 18th we have had more rain, but the young

Zosterops is made of tough material and takes little notice of

either rain or N.E. wind. Here we must leave our Zosterops and

make preparations for the advent of another family, but not without

wishing him a successful journey as he goes forth to the battle of

life.


June 20th. On going to press I have to record another young

Zosterops fully reared. Three were hatched. One disappeared soon

after and another fell out of the nest when a week old. The third

survived and is doing well. All four Zosterops are excellent friends

and can be seen frequently cuddling up together. The first young

one is almost indistinguishable from the old birds now, but is a

distinct yellowish green and therefore much lighter in colour. His

“white eye” is fully developed. Like Barabbas, however, he is a

robber, and has been known to steal the new baby’s mealworm not

only from the parents but from the baby himself. Otherwise his

behaviour is exemplary.


[The Indian Zosterops has been bred in England, but not Z. viridis , as

far as we know. Dr. Lovell-Keays is therefore entitled to a medal.—ED.]



