AVIARY NOTES ON THE PECTORAL KAIL. 



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Pectoral Rails. 



They are now fairly tame, and will approach one to take a worm from the hand. But woe betide 

 a' bird approaching them whilst feeding ; they do not hesitate to attack it with both beak and wings, 

 and at the same time ruffle the feathers of the neck like the hair on the tail of a cat in a fright. 

 Only one inrnate of the aviary (a Dragoon Bird, Pitta strepitans) appears to be their master. They 

 will not venture too near him unless his mouth be full of worm, when taking a mean advantage they 

 fearlessly approach and tug the dainty morsel from his mouth. They are not particular as regards 

 food, eating mostly worms and panicum seed, varied with a little bread and milk or apples, and 

 occasionally at night they catch a mouse. , 



They appear, to be nocturnal to a certain extent, as on a moonlight night they may be seen 

 walking about, feeding and bathing. They are very fond of this last, and may be seen taking a dip 

 several times a day. After a bath they spread the tail and droop the wings as does a turkey-cock, 

 and strut about until quite dry again. 



I should imagine that Pectoral Rails do most of their flying under cover of night, as my captives 

 have often called down others which have been passing over the town at night. We often see wild 

 birds running round the yard and chatting for a little while with the tame ones, after which they 

 leave us as suddenly as they came. 



My birds never sleep in the grass around the pond, but always choose the highest perches. My 

 several attempts to breed from them have so far been met with failure. The hen bird will lay two 

 or three eggs, but will then suddenly stop and refuses to sit. 



