down, the markings will be fairly conspicuous, like in Meliornis novæ-hollandiæ (White-bearded Honey-eater). Honey-eaters are a large group, but if notice be taken it will soon be seen how the various kinds are protected, mostly by the birds building in places which assimilate with the colour of their backs, as before stated."
In 'Annual Reports, Proceedings, &c. (vol. xv.) of the Barrow Naturalists' Field Club' is the report of a very interesting lecture by Mr. Harper Gaythorpe on "The Blackbird in Furness: its Nesting Habits." In his researches among published works, and from careful observers, the lecturer stated that he had been unable to get any very definite information as to which bird, the male or the female, was the nest-builder, or whether both took part in building the nest. Out of about three hundred "British Birds" referred to by the author of 'Forty Years in a Moorland Parish,' he found that as to the building of nests, fifty-six birds were referred to in connection with the nest, thirty-five by its nest, eleven by their nest, eight by her nest, and only two by his nest, the latter being the Blackbird and Ring-Ouzel. As these remarks were entirely at variance with his own observations, the lecturer thought it was very probable that locality had something to do with the matter, and that the shyness and wariness of the Blackbird prevented the male from assisting in the nest-building where the site chosen by him was near to a dwelling, as in the case he brought before them.
Mr. Gaythorpe has proved himself a good recruit to the body of "bird-watchers," and the results of his prolonged observations are as follows:—
- a. No nest-building was done after 7.30 a.m.
b. The male bird did not assist in building the nest, but he chose the site.
c. He seldom sat on the eggs during incubation.
d. But was most attentive to the young ones after they were four days old.
e. The eggs were hatched on the 14th day; and
f. After the same number of days the young ones could fly, and in about four weeks could take care of themselves.
We are glad to welcome the first number of 'The Field Naturalist's Quarterly,' edited by our sometime contributor, Dr. Gerald Leighton. It is addressed to all lovers of nature, rather than to more serious students of zoology, and we trust will meet with a deserved success. Messrs. Wm. Blackwood and Sons are the publishers, to whom we are indebted for a copy of the publication.
