Alfred Ezra—Breeding Records



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and one pair chose a box that is in general use here, measuring 14 inches

high by 8 by 8 inches with an entrance hole near the top 2 J inches in

diameter. The nest was built of dried grass and moss. Actual date

of the laying of the first egg is not known. When examining all the

boxes on the 5th June the nest contained six eggs. Five young were

hatched off on the 17th June. On 22nd June a terrible smell was

detected, and on examining the nest we found that four of the young

were crushed at the bottom of the nest, but the remaining young one

was growing fast. The young one was fed on gentles, live ants eggs,

and mealworms. The ants eggs were thrown on the ground mixed with

earth which was raked over several times a day so as to bring the

eggs to the top. The male bird was the most attentive to the young,

and he was always carrying food to the young, whereas the female

usually had a good fill herself first. The young left the nest on 8th July.

Colour of young, like female with exception of breast which is speckled

as in the other Bluebirds. The young bird is a strong and healthy

bird and very soon began to feed itself. As soon as this bird was fully

reared the hen bird laid another four eggs and is incubating them now.

As this bird is never seen here and is strictly protected I am more

than delighted at having bred one, and hope to have another clutch

soon. The other pair in another aviary has not attempted to nest.

This I am sure is the first time this lovely bird has been bred in captivity.



THE YELLOW SHOULDERED WEAVER


(Pyromelana capensis)


My friend, Mr. Guy Falkner, gave me a few of these pretty Weavers

a couple of years ago, and I turned out one pair in one of my large

aviaries with dozens of other birds in it. They did not attempt to

nest till this year, when they built a nest in a clump of pampas grass.

The nest was rather a large spherical shaped one, built entirely of dried

grass and lined with same. Two eggs were laid by the 27th May.

Colour of eggs bluish white ground heavily speckled with reddish

brown spots, and the size about the same as a Shamas egg. One young

hatched on the 10th June. It left the nest on the 24th June. Only


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