164 Alfred Ezra—Nesting Notes from Foxwarren Parle, 1933


destroying them. On the 6th July we were surprised to find a

nest containing three eggs. Three young were hatched out on the

15th July. Two of these were found dead on the 27th, but

the other one was successfully reared, leaving the nest on the

5th August. Five days after leaving the nest this one was fending

for itself. This is the first time these birds have been bred here,

and I hope now that they have started they will continue to breed.


Californian Quail (Lophortyx californicus) . One pair of

these pretty birds laid nine eggs and were then disturbed by a

pair of Madagascar Partridges. Some time later another nest was

found containing nineteen eggs. All these hatched out on the

29th June. Three were found drowned next day, four mysteriously

disappeared, but the other twelve were successfully reared. Another

pair laid in all sixty-eight eggs, but no nest was made, and the

eggs were laid all over the place. These eggs were collected and

placed under a Bantam, but a mole upset the nest just before

the eggs were due to hatch. Another lot was placed in an

incubator, but this also was a failure. Although a good many

chicks were hatched none of them would feed.


White-winged Wydah (Coliuspasser albonotata). Several

nests were built by these birds, and every one contained eggs, but

only three lots were hatched out. All young disappeared after a

few days. There are too many of these birds together to hope for

any success.


Orange-headed Ground Thrush (Geocichla citrina). Although

I have two pairs of these birds only one pair nested. Two eggs

were laid by the 6th July and one young one was hatched out on

the 19th. The other egg was infertile. The young bird was thrown

out of the nest later in the day. No further attempt was made

at nesting.


Long-tailed Grassfinch (Poephila acuticauda). There are five

of these birds together in an aviary with all kinds of small Wax-

bills and Finches. Although several nests were constructed and

numerous eggs laid, no attempt was made at incubating.


White-crested Jay Thrush (Garrulax diardi). These birds

have again been very disappointing. Although they hatched off



