184 The Nesting of Grey-wmged Ouzels. 
laid a clutch of three eggs, and, on July 16, two very fine 3'oung- 
sters were hatched out. With these I may say there was no 
faltering, everything wenc on without a hitch, and on the last 
three days of July the young were several times observed on the 
ledge of the nest box, taking their first glances into the "wide, 
wide world," and on August ist they left the nest box never to 
return. At eight o'clock a.m., when the birds were fed, they 
were still in the nest, but at ten a.m. hearing much excitement 
{i.e. flying about) I went down to the aviary to see what was the 
matter, fearing cats or .something similar, when my eyes were 
gladdened by seeing the young on the wing and m\' own excite- 
ment was about on a par with that of the parent birds. With this 
success I must closely associate m\' esteemed friend Mr. R. 
Suggitt, for he has kindly sent me supplies of earthworms twice 
weekly since the young were hatched. Again, I consider making 
the parent birds search for the food in a natural manner was an 
important factor towards success. I put in the aviary two boxes 
about 18" X 14" X 6" deep and drew on my nurseryman for 
supplies of dung (full of smallish red worms) thrice weekly; this 
was placed in the boxes and the birds extracted the worms them- 
selves (fortunately none of the other birds appeared to care for 
them); the male bird in particular being indefatigable in digging 
them out, and, now the task is over, the feathers round the base 
of the beak are non-existent. In addition to this, the old birds 
were permitted to give their young as many mealworms as they 
chose four times daily ; this was possible, as the hen would stand 
on the ledge of nest box and take the worms from a box held in 
the hand ; as soon as she commenced to swallow the worms her- 
.self the box was removed. Up to the age of fourteen days 
nothing but live food was given to the fledgelings (the closest 
observation was kept), but during the last three days the young 
were in the nest a little ripe fruit (mostly cherries) was also 
given, and after they left the nest this was given freely. So far 
as I could observe the male was not .permitted to enter the nest 
till the young were seven days old, though he carried food to the 
hen who gave it to the young. At the age of four weeks they 
were looking after themselves, though the male still protects 
them from the other birds. The\' are now freely eating of the 
