198 A. P. Shearing—A Feiu Breeding Notes from Foxivarren


first egg, and I hope by the time these notes are in print to have some

young ones as it is a picture to see the hen bird at liberty. A second

pair are busily engaged in building.


Rothschild’s Grakle ( Leucopsar rothschildi) .—To date only one

egg has been laid and this was eaten. It seems as though the only

way of successfully breeding these birds is to remove the eggs as soon

as they are laid and place them in Starlings’ or Thrushes’ nests.


Wong a Wonga Pigeon ( Leucosarcia jpicata) .—These birds have

started the same habits of last year as the first two eggs were both

fertile, but the birds only sat 10 days ; they are at present incubating

two eggs, but these will shortly be placed under Domestic Pigeons.


Slenderbill Starling ( Cinnamopterus tenuirostris). —We are

hoping for better luck this year with these birds as they have almost

finished building operations, and to prevent any expected young ones

from falling out of the nest a large cradle has been placed under this.

It is very interesting to see how these birds shaped their nest and the

large amount of mud, dried grass and feathers that are used.


Shama ( Kittocincla malabarica). —Both pairs have obliged by laying

eggs and we are hoping they will be more businesslike this year

than last.


American Bluebird (Sialia sialis). —Started building the day

they were given a nest-box and the first egg was laid 2nd April, two

eggs being laid in all ; but owing to the very cold weather these did

not hatch, although both contained perfectly formed chicks. Four

more eggs were laid by 2nd May and these are now being incubated.


White-Winged Mynah (Sturnia nemoricolor) .—The pair that

successfully reared a young one last year are now incubating four eggs.


Madagascar Partridge ( Margaroperdix madagascariensis) .—A

pair of these have laid seven eggs up to the present, ten eggs being

the usual number laid.


African Wattled Plover ( Lobivanellus lateralis). —This pair

again chose the pathway in the large aviary for their nesting site

and bits of bark were used to construct the nest. On 24th April

the first egg was laid ; two days later another egg was found broken

in the pond. The birds did not seem to take much notice of the first

egg and yesterday (6th May) another egg was found about 4 yards



