International Ornithological Congress



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She laid one more, and later on deserted them, possibly owing to

prowling cats, or she may have thought she had done enough. All

the young (five) were left with the parents till 24th September, by

which time they were moulting. The plumage of the young is similar

to that of the adult hen, in fact it is difficult to distinguish them from

the hen.


Naturally enough they spend a lot of time on the ground, and have

a habit of rising almost vertically if scared. Their flight is somewdiat

erratic, reminding one of the Diamond Dove’s dashing style. They

are active long after dusk, and prefer to roost on the ground in the

flight rather than in the shelter.


They are quite hardy, as far as my experience with them goes.

This particular pair bred easily, which I suppose is largely a matter

of luck, as Dr. Hopkinson is of the opinion that the species has not

been previously bred in Europe.


The nest “ site ” referred to above is just a fairly heavy

piece of board about 20 by 7 by 1 inch, hung vertically by a

stout triangulated wire at the top back (not a small screw-eye) on a

a screw-hook in the wall. Near the bottom centre a piece of 2 by

1 inch batten 3 or 4 inches long is fastened to project in front by nailing

from the back of board. This forms a base to which heather or other

screening material is attached. Any nest receptacles, such as Hartz

cage, box, or wire-bottom tray, can be securely fastened to the board

well down into the screening. The whole assembly can be easily lifted

down for examination, cleaning, or change of position without creating

a din in the aviary. It all sounds very elementary, and no doubt the

idea is as old as the hills. But it has always given good results with

me, and, in the case of these Buntings, it allowed of examination of the

nest (at the right moment) without causing any disturbance.



INTERNATIONAL ORNITHOLOGICAL

CONGRESS


The ninth International Ornithological Congress will be held under

the Presidency of Professor A. G-higi in Rouen from 9th to 13th May,

1938. The work of the meetings will be divided into four sections,



