Breeding Bay-fronted Meadoz^' Starlings. 
I expected to find their nests suspended from the stem of 
the flags in the pond, as was the case with their cousins the 
Red-winged Blackbird in CaHfornia. Since writing the above 
my third hen has gone to nest, and this time in the reeds. The 
nest was suspended from three stifi stems, and was much similar 
to the others, but after the mud lining some dried grass was 
added. Three of the eggs in this nest were buff with chestnut 
markings, principally at the larger end; the fourth egg was 
pale blue with black spots. No Oologist would accept this as a 
true clutch. 
I can find no account of the wild life of this bird, but 
Hudson, writing in " Argentine Urrnthology " of A rnficapil- 
!tts, says : 
" The beauty of this bird, and its delicate and plaintive voice would 
" no doubt make it a favourite with man if he saw more of it, on.ly it bves 
" and breeds in marshes and does not coitie near his habitation. 'i'liv 
" redheads are gregarious and migratory. The flock can scarcely be 
" said to break up in the breeding season, as the birds all make 'heir ne.-^t.-; 
" near together in the reeds. The nest is placed about one or two feet 
" above the water, and is about si.x inches in depth and made of leaves an 1 
" ac[uatic grasses woven together. The eggs are four, wiili a while or 
" pale bluish ground and spotted with black on the larger end. After ih'- 
" breeding season the l)irds tl\ about in Hocks of two or three lumdrod 
" individuals, and sing in concert on the trees." 
I think that this description would very well ap; ly to 
the subject of my notes. 
<!-^-^ 
Some Notes on Hanging Parraheets. 
By The Marquis of Tavistock. 
Last winter, together with some birds from New Guinea. 
I received three species of hanging parrakeets, Slater's, Ceylon 
and T31ue-crowned. The first-mentioned was an adult male- 
a truly gorgeous little fellow — but the rest were immature. 
All did well for a time, and, I was hoping that they would 
survive, in agreeal)!e contrast to the lories uhich dropped off 
in ;i most disheartening manner. In this I was disappointed, 
for the .Sclater's contracted a sudden chill and died, follov.e 1 
later bv two of the Blue-crowned. I was so disgusted at the 
fate of the Sclater's that I rather lost interest in that of the 
rest, as I had never seen a good adult Blue-crowned; mv 
