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On the breeding of bearded tits.



The young were first distinctly heard on July 3rd. They left

the nest on July 10th and left the shelter—a difficult matter in this

case—on July 19th. The most forward reedling was seen to help

itself to live ants’ eggs on July 18th for the first time.


Now but little remains to be told. Unfortunately a tragedy

marred the triumph, for on July 16th I missed the little mother

bird. It was an appalling night and she must have been disturbed

and flown out, or perhaps frightened by an owl, for they are very

common about here. At any rate, I did not find her body till

almost past recognition. Thus she died faithful unto death, but the

father bird cheated death of the three babies, and they live to-day

(August 6th) and look exactly like their mother. They are far more

beautiful than adult reedlings, with dark brown heads and very dark

backs and wings. They no longer need their father’s help ; in fact,

they find him far too slow. Of course they needed “ meating off ”

and I did this by giving them first fine live ants’ eggs and gradually

replacing them with the usual insectile mixture. Now they get

practically nothing else.


In conclusion, perhaps just a few remarks why I believe I

succeeded would not be amiss. The personal factor is the one secret

of success. Every detail was thought out. Every mealworm in

the early stages was carefully chosen. A single day’s absence from

home, and I doubt if there would be any young reedlings to-day.

One calls to mind those lines from JEsops Fables summarising the

moral of the farmer and the young larks. They are as follows :—


“ Hoc erit tibi argumentum , semper in situ situm,


Ne quid expectes amicos, quod tute agere possies.”


This is my secret.


'h 'h


P.S.—Sept. 14th. The three baby reedlings are all alive and doing

well and are undergoing a very heavy moult, as the old

birds are doing. At present it is difficult to say what they

will turn out to be, cocks or hens, dark or light birds.



