68 
Notes 0)1 tTir Brood vf Tanarjors. 
take care of itself. This bird is intpresting as being the 
first of its species bred and fully reared in captivity. 
After sittings on the second clutch for about ten days, 
the hen deserted the nest and built another in an adjoining 
bush. By the 20th August two more eggs were laid, but 
again the nest was deserted, and no further attempt at nest- 
ing was made, the birds going into an early moult. Unfor- 
tunately the hen bird died about the end of November, but 
the cock consoled himself with the young bird, which there 
is little doubt is a hen. 
Coincidently with these events there were interesting 
things going on in another laurel bush close by. A nest 
not unlike that of the Blues, but constructed chiefly of hay, 
was occupied by the Scarlets. When discovered, by the hen 
flying off, it contained two eggs similar in size to those of 
the Blues, but of a deeper colour, and with black spots at the 
larger end. On the 6th July, the day the young Blue left 
the nest, two young Scarlets were hatched, making a red-letter 
day h' the history of the aviary. By the 16th July both birds 
were quilled and rapidly feathering. On the 18th one died, 
and on the 19th the remaining bird left the nest. In general 
colouring it was a dark ruddy brown with a distinctly red- 
dish breast. The parents were very assiduous in feeding it, 
but., in spite of their care, it was found dead three days after 
leaving the nest. The only live food given was a liberal 
supply of mealworms, but I am inclined to think that the 
weather was largely accountable for the death of what was ap- 
parently a strong little bird. At that time we were experi-- 
encing a prolonged drought, and the ground was so hard and 
dry, that there was a very great shortage of insect life. By 
the 4th August two eggs were again laid in the old nest, and 
incubation commenced. On the 15th and 16th, two young 
were hatched, and again the parents did their duty well. But 
on the 22nd both young birds disappeared, leaving no trace 
behind. A third attempt was made by the parents and again 
two eggs were hatched out. At this time I was from home 
but the young birds disappeared mysteriously once more, about 
a week after they were hatched. And abhough every corner 
of the aviary was searched no sign of them could be found. 
Whether these disappearances were due to the attentions of 
