24



A. Slier riff — Black-headed Sibias at Liberty



would appear that the latter, inclined at all times to be quarrelsome

with other birds when nesting, took exception to the proximity of the

Blackbirds’ nest. What took place must be left to the imagination,

but the result was certainly unfavourable to the Sibias.


Considerable time had now been wasted, three nests had been built,

eight eggs laid, and still no young birds to show : the time about the

middle of June. However, this pair of birds did not intend to be

demoralized by previous failures, and, very shortly after, the hen again

commenced building in a large pear-tree. This time all was well. In

about five weeks two young Sibias were flying about the garden followed

and being fed by their parents.


After the young had been flying for about three weeks the hen again

became conspicuous by her absence. Another nest ? What was going

to happen to the young birds now flying. If left free would the parents

drive them away ? Eventually it was decided if possible to catch

up the two young birds, and this was done with great ease as the parents

had carefully shown them the way into the aviary.


It was now certain that a further nest had been built. The hen

was seen only once when the gardener fed them at the usual time,

about 9a.m. I have not been able to satisfy myself whether the previous

nest was used again or not, but it was certain that the hen was

incubating. Once more mealworms were being carried, and by the

end of August three young Sibias were enjoying themselves in weather

which at that time was not too bad. It did not seem possible that

any further nesting could take place and I intended to catch up the

three young birds as opportunity afforded. This was done without

the slightest trouble and the cock continued to feed the young birds

through the wire of the aviary in which they were enclosed.


But where was the hen ? She had actually gone to nest again.

It was now the third week in September and the possibility of early

frosts could not be ignored, but bad as the weather has been with regard

to sunshine there had as yet been little real cold. About the

10th October two more youngsters were introduced to their paternal

home and this week, the last in October, they have been caught up and

placed with their relations. The parent birds are in a dilapidated state

due to their excessive zeal for nesting. They appear, however, to be



