190 Dr. E. Hopkinson—More Additions to Breeding Beccrds


I did not hear that cheering sibilant sound, but I made up my mind

I’d bear it till I began to smell something bad. I went about utterly

miserable, and then I was given some ants and their eggs. By standing

with my ear glued to a crack in the door I at last heard that joyful

sound of the young being fed again ; probably I had only missed it,

as in the whole three weeks I never saw the cock or hen visit the nest.

Any way, the ants stimulated them to great efforts in feeding, and the

ants were most obliging, taking up their abode under a tuft of grass

and laying eggs daily I think. I used to move just a little grass at a time,

and keep the other ants for another surprise another day.


In a mixed collection even as small as mine feeding for young is

difficult, as the dainties are appreciated by more than the parents.


Three weeks and a day after the baby hatched it left the nest—

bigger in build than either of the parents, perfectly feathered, and

tight in feather. The two little phosphorescent spots by the beak were

very noticeable. At first it went often to the nest and slept there at

night; and then one night I saw it between its parents roosting and

quite grown up. The parents started to mate again before it left the

nest, and on the third night that it slept out the hen dropped dead

from the perch in the night. I felt terribly sad. She was my favourite

bird. Mr. Hicks found egg trouble, possibly caused I think by the day

turning suddenly exceptionally cold when I was out, and a great

hail-storm coming after a warm morning.



MORE ADDITIONS TO BREEDING RECORDS


By Dr. E. Hopkinson, C.M.G., D.S.O.


Part II— Weavers


Part I (Finches) appeared on p. 149. Since that was written

I have been in correspondence with Mr. Teague, who has sent me more

information about his hybrids (Linnet, Serins, etc.). He did record

most of them, and the after-history of some, in Cage Birds of 20th

September, 1930. Cape Canary-Canary hybrids, both ways, must

be added to his successes.



