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J. Delacour—Breeding the Hooded Pitta



often as many as a dozen or more being built in the same tree.

Orange- and lemon-trees, climbing roses, and thick garden shrubs

are utilized, and in some districts, as Gould states, the underneath

portions of the large stick nests of Eagles and Hawks-—probably

selected with the idea of protection from enemies. On several

occasions the nests of the Double-bar Finch and Diamond Sparrow

have been found built in the lower portion of the nests of Whistling

Eagles. In one of these tenements as many as four nests of the

Double-bar and nine of the Diamond Sparrow were counted, all the

birds living contentedly under the protection of their rather for¬

bidding, but to them harmless, hosts, the Eagles. During the

mating period the male is very domineering, ordering his spouse

about in no gentle manner. She remains submissive until the nest

is built, when she takes charge, becoming a veritable shrew, ruling

both her mate and home.”


The habit described by Mr. Cayley of nesting in colonies is very

interesting, and the lack of success in breeding this species, which

so many aviculturists have experienced, may be due to the fact that

only single pairs have, as a rule, been kept.


In the wild state the Diamond Sparrow feeds chiefly upon the

seeds of grasses, but also devours small insects, and in captivity

canary and millet seed, flowering grass, and an occasional meal¬

worm seems to be all that it requires.


D. S-S.



BREEDING THE HOODED PITTA


(Pitta cucullatd)


By J. Delacour


Although many species of Pittas have been introduced into

Europe during the last twenty years, most of them very beautiful,

none had so far bred or even nested in captivity.


Pittas are forest birds, living on the ground and only perching

at night, and have insectivorous habits. They hop about noisily

on the carpet of dead leaves, not wild, but often difficult to see.



