The Breeding of the Bearded Tit. 
215 
body. I mourned and grieved for my little bird. She had 
won nic prizes at shows, borne me babies to gladden my 
heart, and, then, in the hour of my triumph, Death, the 
hateful trend, had claimed her— claimed Ueedling, the gentle 
one, the loving and faithful mother; claimed her who had striven 
to, and succeeded in, giving such joy and pleasure to me, a 
mere mortal. I would rather have lost Co than my 
Reedling. My loss seems to have taken all joy out of the 
achievement, but I am consoled with the thought that the 
three babies are the image of their mother, and, their father 
is, perhaps, the most devoted parent that ever lived. What 
a consolation it must have been to feel she had satisfied her 
owner, and was leaving such a devoted father to look after 
the babie.'. and mourn her death. I could not even recover her 
body until past recognition. 
The last chapter is nearly written. A new era begins 
with the death of the devoted little mother, for on July 19th 
one baby left the shelter, took a good look round, and re- 
turned again, but finally slept out. Since then we have had 
thunder and lightning and torrents of rain, and I have had 
many anxious moments, but at the time of writing all three 
young ones are well and strong — more beautiful even than 
their parents; more engagmg and winning than even the pen 
of an aviculturist can describe. In short, I think they are 
the most beautiful babies in the world, and I only wish the 
fond mother could see them now — not a sign of ungainliness 
or grotesqueness. They are simply perfect, with a furry 
head, warm reddish -brown body and short, almost black tail. 
We must leave them here, all unconscious of their fame. They 
are general favourites with the other inmates of the aviary, 
and as happy as sandboys. Only the father realises what joy 
chastened with sorrow means, but he does not tell his little 
ones he is thinking of her. Surely this is love indeed. 
August 4th. — Ais we go to press I am able to report that .ill 
three babies: are doing well. They are now, of cours:-, entirely indc- 
pendint ; have grown long tails but all conform to the likeneks of their 
mother . 
