Harold M. Millar—Some Notes on the Yellov)-breasted Bulbul 299



a supporting twig usually 5 feet from the ground, the nest some¬

what resembling the usual thin nest of a Dove, through which the

eggs may be seen. Thus it has a very flimsy appearance.


The nest is always built in a conspicuous position in the dense

bush, and probably is often robbed of eggs and young by either snakes

or Shrikes.


This Bulbul is certainly to be classed as uncommon, and I think

the cause of this is to be found in its nesting methods. The tempera¬

ment of this species seems to be of a nervous nature ; it seems to be

always fearing the approach of a Sparrowhawk. About the month of

September, 1932, while visiting friends in the countryside some twelve

miles from Durban, I had a most unusual and interesting experience

which may be of interest to bird-lovers. My friends are great lovers

of nature and the family has caused to be registered in perpetuity

as a “ Sanctuary for Birds and Animals ” some 60 acres with the

boundary quite half a mile long, with the River Umhlatuzan flowing by,

and plenty of indigenous bush and forest and grass-land. There may

be seen birds of many kinds and of beautiful colours, enjoying to the

full the quietness of the sanctuary. Three species of South African

antelope are there, and may be seen at any and all times of the day.

So tame have they become that from a motor car they may be watched

within 20 feet distance, and quite unconcerned. While walking

along the motor drive at the sanctuary with my friend, Mr. Fred North,

we observed a fine doe antelope standing some 20 or so feet off the

road in the open bush. She had seen us first, and remained motionless.

While so standing she had the attention of a Yellow-breasted Bulbul

removing ticks from the edges or rims of her ears. The bird using

the crown of the doe’s head as a perch from which it hopped to the

ear, and then flew to and alighted on the haunch of the buck and back

to the head, and repeated the performance of hopping and removing

the ticks some five times, when we were quietly watching. The buck

and bird were in company while we walked away. Mr. North has

built a water trough for the wild birds to drink from near his home,

and great success has been accomplished.


During last July I there saw nine beautiful Purple-crested Louries

(Gallirex porphyreolophus) drinking at one and the same time from the



