o?i Nesting of Mimia castaneithorax. 121


period of incubation. The nest was examined daily (during my

absence) and the hen was fonnd dead on the 14th, eggsuukatched

but incubation well advanced.


I have examined eleven eggs of this species and about the

same number of M. castaneithorax and find them identical in size

and shape, but the former appear to be more glossy. The shape

is quite peculiar, being much elongated, the smaller end tapering

gradually to a fine point, resembling in this respect the egg of

the Guillemot.


After the death of the hen, the male bird made up to a

widowed Chestnut Finch, which fact leads me to think- that it

would not be difficult to produce hybrids. At the same time it

should be noted that, although I had this season four of the

former species and two of the latter in one aviary, and in the

other, two of the former and four of the latter, there was no

attempt at interbreeding as long as each could find a partner of

its own species. I think this supports my argument as to the

stability of M. flaviprytnna as a species.


I feel sure that this species in a state of liberty rears its

young on insect food, for which, as soon as the young are hatched,

the parents are seen searching all day long and even hawking

flies. I have seen as many as six gentles carried to the nest at

one time.



Nesting Notes on Mtmia castaneithorax.


By request of our Editor I will now give some notes on

this species, the nesting of which does not seem to have been

described, though there is evidence that it has nested success-

fully. In this connection our Editor has very kindly drawn my

attention to the following passage in Gedney's " Foreign Cage

Birds, Vol. II., p. 61 : — " They have, however, bred once with

me, and other instances have come to my knowledge, but the

progeny seldom do well."


It is singular that, although this species has been imported

in thousands and has been in every aviary in the laud, I have not

yet been able to find a quite definite statement as to the young

having been fully reared. As it would be interesting to know

how often it has been done, perhaps our members would kfrrdly— -



