184 



ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES. 



Nutmeg Pigeon Breeding in Captivity. — Mr. H. W. Stein, one ot the keepers at Taronga 

 Zoological Park, has gained the confidence of a Nutmeg Fruit Pigeon, a female under his care having 

 become so trustful that she will readily fiy to his finger and take food from his hand. On nth 



Deoember, 1917, she began to collect material for nesting, and endeavoured to build a nest in an almost 

 impossible position until Mr. Stein induced her to occupy a site selected by him. He placed a few- 

 eucalyptus twigs in the bark of a stunted shrub growing in the aviary, and the bird immediately took 

 charge, but deliberately threw the twigs to the ground, repeating the performance as fast as the twigs 



Nutmeg Pigeon on Mr. Stein's hand. 



were replaced. Finally a few dead leaves secured from a Grass-tree were placed in position for her. 

 This pliable material evidently satisfied her requirements, for as soon as the platform was erected, 

 she took possession of the structure, and, assisted Mr. Stein to build the nest, taking the grass 

 a blade at the time from his hand and arranging it to her liking. On 13th December she laid one egg, 

 and the process of incubating began at once. The young bird was hatched out on 5th January, 1918, 

 and left the nest (fully fledged) on January 23rd. During this period of 42 days, the mother was 

 hand fed, and was never once observed to leave the nest. The male bird, though always on the alert, 

 was never seen to take part in the proceedings, nor did he at any time appear to object to Mr. Stein's 

 presence. — Harry Burrell, La Mascotte, Doncaster Avenue, Kensington. 



