204



Correspondence



BREEDING OF BLACK-HEADED NUN



Madam, — I am submitting hereunder an extract from a paper which

I read at the last meeting of the Avicultural Society of South Africa, and

which you could use if you think it is of sufficient interest to members :—-


“ The Black-headed Nun has just been bred by me, and although

it is found in so many aviaries, it has very rarely been bred in captivity.

This bird is fairly common. It is a seed-eater coming from India, and

is a bright chestnut-brown with a black head and breast and blue bill.

It is of the same species as the White-headed Nun and the Tri-coloured

Nun. It is an excellent bird for any mixed collection, as it does not

interfere with other birds. It is a good bird for the beginner, as it is

comparatively cheap in this country, and from my experience fairly

hardy.


“ As far as I can ascertain no medal has been claimed from any

Avicultural Society in England for a first breeding. However, the bird

has bred here, and I think with proper facilities it is not a difficult matter.

When breeding the parents are very timid and require a very secluded

place. I do not think they will breed in tins or nesting-boxes. The pair

which produced the young ones made their nest in an old privet tree

which was covered with teff. They made a tunnel about 18 inches long

leading to a dome nest. It is only by chance a nest can be discovered.

The young are a plain light brown, but in about a month’s time small

traces of black start to appear. The birds feed on Canary seed, millet,

manna, maggots, and mealworms.”


I would very much like to know something more about these birds, and

although I have looked up a number of books can find nothing about the

Nuns.


W. C. H. Zipp.


P.O. Box 6899,


Johannesburg, South Africa.


14th May, 1938.



