The Breedmg of the Silver -eared Mesia. 43 
pieces in. position, and in a manner characteristic of the do- 
mestic Canary began shuffling about and turning herself round 
and round to ensure a perfect shape to the finished domicile. 
During this period I had removed all specimens likely 
to prove mischievous or trouljlesome, replacing them by a 
numbei of Cirassfinches : Ciouldians, Masked, Bicheno, Long- 
tailed Grass, Ruficaudas, etc., thus giving greater freedom for 
the Mesias, and better liopes for the successful termination 
of their elTorts; for as is well known it is well nigh impos- 
sible to rear young insectivorous birds if a number of other 
Insectivora occupy the same aviary. 
All went well, and within a few days the nest was 
completed. Eggs, however, did not appear as quickly as I 
desired, and with hopes almost at Zero, I began to wonder if 
they were simply playing at house -keeping, as many 
of the Grassfinches do. The latter, especially the Masked 
variety, are quite experts at making " homes of comfort." 
However, the first egg did appear on April 5th, to be 
followed by others on the two succeeding days. The first 
and second eggs I removed (for safety) replacing them with 
Canary eggs, but on the appearance of the third I returned 
the others and incubation commenced. JEverything now ap- 
peared of roseate hue, and my visions of early youngsters 
were indulged in, but alas visions do not always materialise — 
hope often smiles but to deceive. Imagining the incubation 
period to be about 14 days, but not knowing accurately, I tried to 
be patient, but on the 20th day nothing having appeared I 
could not restrain myself longer, and taking out the eggs, 
to my keen disappointment found them " clear." 
The eggs were of a greenish -white tint, with reddish - 
brown spots or blotches, and the first egg of the clutch was 
somewhat smaller than the others. This peculiarity was 
noticeable in all the succeeding clutches. 
The Mesias were left severely alone for a few days 
so imagine one's surprise when on again examining the nest 
to find, on May 4th, it contained a clutch of four eggs. 
Again expectations ran high, and this time there was no dis- 
appointment, for May 7th found two young Mesias in the nest, 
a third hatched out the next day, the fourth egg proved 
