164 May Nesting Xotcs froni Bcnhnm Valence. 
I am sure Parrakeets are more successful in their nest- 
ing arrangements when they can go in for at least two feet 
down a passage, so to say, before arriving at the actual 
nest. If they have to go immediately downwards and on to 
the nest, they are apt to break the eggs. 
The Two nestlings left the box in which they were hatched 
on June 6th, when they were probably about five weeks old. 
They can now (June 9th) feed off biscuit sop when it is held in 
front of them. 
Their colouiing resembles that of the adult female, except 
that the crown of the head is mauve-pink instead of pale blue. 
The rose-coloui-ed throats aie quite as brilliant as in the adult 
bird. 
The parent birds are busily preparing for a second brood. 
[We congratulate Mr. Astley on liis success, in bi'eediiiK this rare 
and lovely species for the first time in Great Britain, Ed.] 
May Nesting Notes from Benham Valence. 
By Hubert D. Astley, M.A., F.Z.S., M.C.O.U., etc 
The Great Bust.vrds {Otis tarda) have nested again 
as they did last year, but again the eggs were addled, al- 
though the male displayed a great deal in March and April, 
and the female sat closely for over 30 days in the grass; 
under an apple tree in an orchard. 
Shamas iCittacincla macronra) My pair have nested 
in a lx)x, but the eggs did not hatch. 
Grey Threshes {Hnrporhyiichiis^ cinernia) : These 
are a recent acquisition, which I believe are inhabitants of 
Mexico. They are sprightly birds, about the size of a Song 
Thrush, with longish curved bills and glassy eyes. Insec- 
tivorous mixture, fruit and live insects appear to suit them 
well, as they have already built a large nest, rather like a 
Jay's, but did not lay. The nest was built in some branches 
of Scotch fir which were piled up in a corner of the aviary. 
American Blue-birds (Sialis sialis). A pair of this 
lovely .species have a nest in one of the barrels I got from 
Mr. Page. 
A Port Lincoln Parrakekt mated to a Pennant, laid 
