Alfred Ezra—Nesting Notes from Foxwarren Park, 1933 161


On the 16th September a nest with two young ones was found in

the ivy. Two days later both were found dead.


Roul Roul Partridges (Rollulus roulroul) . These very

handsome Partridges have laid several eggs most of which have

been eaten up. On three occasions eggs were saved, and on the

22nd June one egg was placed under a domestic hen, but

unfortunately it was crushed by the hen the day that it was

hatching out. A second egg was placed in an incubator on the

19th August, and this one was hatched out on the 7th September.

The young one lived for six days and seemed perfectly healthy and

strong, but for some unknown reason it died suddenly.


Shama (Kittocincla malabarica). Five eggs were laid by the

18th May and all hatched out by the 31st, but the male bird

killed all the young ones by the 3rd June. Another five eggs were

laid by the 14th June and four young were hatched out by the 27th.

The male bird was caged up this time and the hen left to feed the

young. All went well for three days, then the hen refused to

have anything to do with the young. The only thing left to do

was to let the hen have her liberty, and see if she would then

feed her young. As soon as the door of the aviary was opened she

flew out, and was seen to go into some bushes nearby, returning

shortly with a beak full of insects. At last it looked as if this

would do the trick, but our hopes were soon shattered, as the bird,

after going in and out of the aviary several times, wandered farther

afield and found new interest in chasing other birds, and at night

she did not return to the aviary. The next day she was seen

about and then she suddenly disappeared. I am afraid she was

killed by some other birds. Another pair were just as dis¬

appointing, and one egg was laid on the 5th May, but the birds

would not incubate it. Another egg was laid on the 22nd May,

and this one was incubated and a young one was hatched out on

the 5th June. This young one was found dead the next day.

Another two eggs were laid by the 17th June and one young one

hatched out on the 1st July. Both parents fed this one well for

twelve days, but on the 14th July it was found dead on the floor

of the aviary.



