Notes on the Breeding of Striated Colies. 281 
whether the species had been previously bred, he answered by re- 
turn, confirming my hope, that I was the first to successfully 
breed 0. cucuUata in this Country, and demanding detailed copy 
for " Bird Notes," at twenty-four hours notice. 
Notes on the Breeding of Striated Colies. 
By a. 0. Young. 
Our Editor has asked me for some notes on the breed- 
ing of Striated Colies, these birds having successfully reared 
young in the aviary of my cousin, Mr. H. B. Wilson. This 
is, T think, the first time they have been bred in England 
Partial success was obtained towards the end of September, 
1911 ,when two youn'g birds were almost reared, only to 
suddenly die together with their parents either from poisoning 
or more probably from the effects of an early frost as the nest 
was situated in the open portion of the aviary. 
Another two birds were obtained, which luckily (for 
there appears to be no difference in the plumage of ifche 
sexes) proved to be a true pair. These birds were kept 
indoors during the winter and turned out in April into a large 
aviary with a natural flight. 
In a few weeks they commenced to build in a large 
heap of brushwood in one corner of the flight; the nest was 
an open cup -shaped one, consisting chiefly of small twigs, and 
lined with roots, placed about three feet from the ground. 
Three eggs of a grey-brown colour were laid and 
successfully hatched after fourteen days incubation. 
The young were fed almost entirely on fruit; banana, 
orange, and ripe pear, being supplied daily as well as the 
usual soft food. 
In addition mealworms were thrown into the aviary, 
but the other inmates, such as Shamas, and Hangnests, being 
very much tamer, secured the "majority of these tit -bits 
The young birds, which closely resemble their parents 
in plumage, were soon fending for themselves, all three fully 
reared, being now about four months old. 
Since then the old birds have, I believe, reared either 
one or two nests consisting of two or three young 
At the slightest alarm the Colies will vanish into the 
thipk brushwood, closely resembling rats, as they dart in and 
