A. Sherriff—Softbills



85



fertile. The hen was finger-tame and possibly this may have had some¬

thing to do with it.


Experiences with a pair of Black-headed Sugar Birds were quite

heartbreaking. They were in a large aviary to themselves and to

my delight and surprise I found a nest about 4 feet off the ground with

two eggs. The hen sat tight, but was particularly careful never to

return to the nest if anyone was about. In due course two young

hatched. At about mid-day a thunderstorm with tropical rain washed

nest and young away.


Again a nest was built, two eggs laid, two young hatched. Three

days afterwards another thunderstorm worked the same havoc.


Subsequently I perforce had to give up many of my birds, but

strangely enough have succeeded in obtaining again the original pair

of Black-headed Sugar Birds. Perhaps the elements will not be so

unkind next time.


Of some of the larger insectivorous birds may be mentioned the

Racket-tailed Drongo—a wonderful mimic, fairly easily tamed,

marvellous at catching mealworms in the air, and quite hardy.


I have not found them particularly spiteful, though unquestionably

individuals vary, and they are inclined to snap out at any smaller

bird that flies near them.


The African Roller makes a wonderful splash of colour in an aviary

when he once gets over his early nervousness.


Bulbuls, Shamas, Pekin Robins, and Mesias are all delightful, but

I have never yet succeeded in rearing the young of any, though nests

have been made, eggs laid, and the young hatched off in each case.


It may be interesting to mention here a larger White-eared Bulbul

which is kept in a cage in the house. This is sometimes miscalled the

Persian Bulbul, but the latter is, of course, a warbler.


He is extraordinarily tame and spends most of his time displaying

to himself in the looking-glass in the sitting room ; a habit of which

he never tires.


I cannot close this article without mentioning two birds which

for about two years were a continual source of joy. Two tiny Softbills

with erectile crests, brown in colour and about the size of a White-eye.

A Black-headed Sibia in miniature with many of the same movements-



