92



Mr. R. Phiujpps,



contortions before a female Silver-eared Mesia that was confined

in the same cage. Was this an indication of sex ?


During the afternoon of the 21st I returned it to the bird-

room, where it encountered the odd female, and they regarded

one another with mutual suspicion. It flew into the garden

followed by the inquisitive spinster, and soon found mother; at

first there was a little shyness between them, but soon mother

was hopping round and about it, and she took it once more

under her charge. Baby opened its mouth for food, but mother

did not respond ; then Baby went after mother, but with no better

result. Then the young hopeful lost its temper and attacked

both its mother and the second female. As to the old father—

he went off in the sulks and hid himself, a trifle jealous, and

possibly thinking of a future rival in the harem.


Baby and mother were always together. Mother led it

about and showed it all the ins and outs of the aviaries and

birdroom, and the various nooks and corners where the several

food dishes were to be found. But Baby lacked something—it

could not get any cockroaches; when these were put out, some

other bird stepped down before Baby and carried them off. And

now once more that grand old mother detected what was wrong

and came to the rescue. On the 26th I noticed how spruce the

youngster was looking. In the afternoon I put out some cock¬

roaches, and down came the mother with all her old fire and

scattered the other birds to the winds. Cramming her mouth

full, she went back to Baby in her funny way and recommenced

feeding. After this, Baby followed its mother to the tin, and

mother would keep off the other birds until every cockroach had

been disposed of, for many days not touching one herself. She

finally ceased to feed the young bird about October 25.


For a long time the male and second female were always

together ; but they began to get tired of making love in the cold

and wet; and their love-parlour, spoilt by the rain, was deserted ;

and so it came to pass that on September 25 all of the Regents

were once more united in a family party and were t playing to¬

gether, to Baby’s great delight.


After this I had no trouble with Baby beyond seeing it did

not stay out too much in the cold and wet. Every evening the



