342



Dr. Albert Gunther,



would now only commence their nesting operations, at least in the

Midland and Eastern counties. On the Stli there was again a

change of the weatlier for the worse ; a low temperature with

occasional cold showers of rain reminded one of March. Yeti

had no apprehension about the well-being of the young, as the

hen continued to cover them with scarcely any interruption.

She did not give me any opportunity of examining the nest until

June nth, when I found to my sorrow only two remaining in the

nest; the three others had completely disappeared, and a search

amoi^ the leaves and litter on the ground was without result.

On th !jext day one only was left, and on the 14th the last had

disappeared On a renewed search I discovered both at some

distance f 1 the nest, close together, with the scalp torn, but

without other injury; they were of good size, and had the head

covered with stubbles.


Of the conjectures as to the cause or manner of death, the

following appears now, with the light of subsequent events, the

most probable. The young perished from the cold temperature,

which supervened during the greater part of their short life.

The dead bodies were removed by the parents, those of the

tiniest were lost beyond recovery, whilst the oldest and heaviest

had their skin torn by the efforts required for their removal.


June 20th. The male renewed his attentions to the female

in a very conspicuous manner shortly after the catastrophe

related. His jealous conduct, whenever she attempted to take

her food directly from me, was most ridiculous to see. No

new nest was built; and this morning the old nest was still

empty. I left home in the afternoon, and returned on June 24th,

when I found the hen sitting ; she left after a little persuasion,

so that I could obtain a good look at the eggs which again were

five in number. They were more brightly ornamented than

those of the first clutch, the brown spots near the broad end

forming an almost confluent deep-coloured circular head.


The period of incubation passed under more favourable

meteorological conditions than on the former occasion. The

male kept the hen regularly supplied with food, which, however,

did not prevent her from coming sometimes to my call to receive

an extra supply of mealworms.



