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NATURAL HISTORY

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THE

JOURNAL

OF THE

■ 1

wild bird
Investigation Sooiety.

Edited by
WALTER E. COLLINGE. D.So , F.L.S., F.E.S.. M.B O U.

Vol. 1.

NOVEMBER, 1919.

No. 1.

ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTIONS:

Pond Frequenting Birds as Seed Carriers
By E. Adrian WoodrufTe-Peacock,

F.L.S.. F.G.S . F.E.S.

The Common Tern and its Enemies

By H. Chas Williamson, MA, D Sc.

Birds near London. By Gladys M. Towsey

Some Remarks on tlie Food of the Earn
Owl. By Dr. Walter E. Collinge. F.L.S.

Variations in the Diet of Wild Birds

By George Abbey. 10

The Report of the Departmental Com

mittee on tlie Protection of Wild Birds 1 2

CONTENTS.

NOTES and NEWS

15

1 CORRESPONDENCE

17
17

Breeding of Tinamous and Apteryx
Confinement

The Need of Local Branches

LOCAL BRANCHES :
St Andrews

REVIEWS:

A Practical Handbook of British Birds

(H. F Witherby) 19

EDITORIAL

NOTES :

Two Interesting Cases of Melanism
Strange Accident to a Heron

13 Birds and the War (Hugh S. Gladstone) .. 19

CURRENT LITERATURE

15

15 NOTICES TO MEMBERS

20

21

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THE JOURNAL OF THE

WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION SOCIETY.

POND FREQUENTING BIRDS AS SEED CARRIERS.
liv E. ADRIAN WOODRUFFE-PEACOCK, F.L.S., F.G.S., F.E.S.

1 1 l{l\ I-', arc i\\(i l)ii(ls
which arc conimnn-
1\' fdiiiul in isolaieii
piiiuls, ihe Mallard
1)1 Wild Duck and
ihr W'aici- - Hen.
The f (I 1 1 () w i n l;
notes refer lo these
two species onI\-,
except where 1
menlion others. By ponds I mean artificially
made watering places for stock, excliidini;-
from this paper moorland flashes and lakelets,
a> well as all trifling waters of ihe acid -^oils
of the true CaJluna-Erica-PU'ris area.

Pond.'' iif human constrticlion ;iie of se\er;i!
ly|)es.

1. S|)ring ponds ha\e a dilch fnim ihrm
down an incline to carry away Mirpliis water.

2. Sipe ponds h;i\e no true springs, and
\ ft ihey receive a slock of water by soak'age
throiigli the tipper or worm-made soil on
cla\s, or through the whole mass ot soil in
lighter rock formations.

■;. Ditch ponds have water cariicd to iliem
l)\- small open drains cut in the \alleys sur-
rounding them.

4. i'i|5e ponds are fairl\- common in ilie
wide flat areas of Lincolnshire. 'i"lie\ ;ire n<i|
eas\" to distinguish at first, bin are alwa\s
fed from more or less permaneni dilches oi-
liecks through undergrouiul pipes nn the
drain-.s\ >tem.

5. C"la\-pit ]3onds explain themselves, but
in most i';i>es there is a dilch from lliem lo
carrv away their over-much waters, but in
some cases these carry water lo them.

J.W.H 1 S., Nov., l';i9. vol. i. No. 1.

b. Dew ponds are usuall\- the most i.solated
ot all. riie\ are made with impervious bot-
loniN, aiul usually lie in hollows and drain a
given area suri'ounding them.

These kinds of ponds must be carefully
distinguished, for i am onl\- going lo write
ot ihe Duck and W'ater-IIen carried species
ot ihe |:)urelv isolaled w.alers ; so 1 onl\- con-
sidei- here (i) spring, (2) sipe, and (6) dew-
|;>onds.

h. \eii from these much has to be excluded
tidin our \-iew, if we want to thoroughh'
understand what bird-carriage is, in contra-
distinction to mammal- or animal-carriage
generalb . l'.\er\ihing in fact that pasture or
meadow, oi- the dilches found in them can
supply b\ animal- and mammal-carriage has
to be put aside. .\s for example (a) Canla-
iiiiiii' pralcnsis. Jtincus s^luucu.s and I rlicii
Iroiii the grass surface, and ('') Rdntinciihts
rcf^eiis, Rddiciilii nasliirliuiu antl Scrcpliii-
lariti (iquiilicii from the ditches. The seeds of
these ami other species I sli;ill disregard, as
all are e\cr being carrii d on the feet of stock-
when wet or miKld\'.

'fliese arc all the species left, taking a fair
average of one hundred isolaled ponds on any
class of non-acid soils, .lfi;nislis paluslris in
28; this species perhaps ought lo be excluded,
but I lia|i|)cn to k'liow that it generall\- comes
from a distance. Alisiua pluntaa^o-aquaticLi in
2() ; a ivjiical duck'-carried species. AUipc-
ciinis i;ciiiciil(ilns in 20. ApiiiDi hitiiuhiluui
on gravelK and sandy soils in i. .1. n<>d\-
lliirinn in 4 spring ponds, but only 1 in the
same number without springs. CalUlrichc
,v/(('oii//(\ in 2S- Ciircx aciililnruiis in 1.

JorUNAI. (1F THE W 11-11 BIRD I.WESTIGATIOX SOCIETY.

C. disliclm in i. C. cUtlu in 2. C. jJacca in
4. C. i^iiiidcuD'-nui in 1. ('. Iiirla bv q; rils!.)
Snipe-carried. C. pulicaris in I. C. Z'vsi-
Ciiria in ,:;. C. vulpina by 1. Calabrosu
aqnatica in 5; also Snipe-carried. Chara znil-
garis in 2. Eleocharis pahislris in 2; al.si)
Snipe-carried. EUiJca canadensis in 5. Epi-
iabimn hirsiiluni in 5. Eqiiiscluvi arvcnsc by
4. Galium puliislrc b}' 2. (Uyccria fluHans
hv or in 40. Hippuris vulgaris in i. /r/.v
pseduacorus in 1 in 200, except on limestones.
Juncus arlicnlalus in 2. /. bttfonius lay 1.
/. bulbosus in i. /. conglomcratus in i. /.
gcrardc hv 1. /. sylvalicus by i. Lcnina
gibba in ,";. L. minor in 25. L. polyrhiza in
I. L. trisuica in ,v Lycopus europaeus in i.
Menlha hirsula in i. Myosoiis palustris in 6,
usually nearly associated. Myriophyllum
spicatum in i. Parnassia palustris bv 1 ; but
perhaps as often Snipe-carried, like i,'- /'(//h.s-
irf,? and Triglochin palustris. Prplis purlula
in I. Phalaris arundinacca \n S. Phragmitcs j
ccHninnn'.s- in i. Polygonum hydropiper in 1.
Polamogcton crispus in 2. Z-*. densus in 1.
P. natans in 10. P. pnsillus in i. Ranun-
culus dcouctii in t,.\. R . tiammula hy or in i.
P. florihtindus in 12. P. sclcratus by 4. y^o.vti
canina bv i ; sown bv Blackbirds, bv regurgi-
tation before drinking. Thev also sow Crc-
tacgus oxyacantha and Hcdera helix in the
same way, but these very rarely grow.
Rumcx hydrolapathum by i. P. maritinius,
before iSg,-^ on sands and sandy gravels hx s ;
now practicalh" never met with, only i in 300.
P. nemorosus in 2. Stellaria aquatica bv 2
or more associated ponds. Tolypella glome-
rata in 1 cla}- pond. (In 2 acid peat-ponds).
Typha latijolia in i clay pond. T. media 2 in
300 on sandv gravels. Valeriana ofticinalis,
aggregate, by 2. ]\'r(inica anagallis in 4 or
more associated ponds. !'. lu^ccabunga in 18.
Zannichellia palustris in 2, before 1803, not
since.

Before 1S93 came a whole series of more or
less wet seasons, since that date have come a

whole series of dry ones, especiall}' of drv
autumns. Xow the Wild Duck never stavs at
home ai night on its dav-resting waters.
We only have it with us during the daylight,
unless the birds are " fog-bound." These
ducks " rise " in the evening shades ami
depart to feed on the sea coast or just within
the sea banks or sand hills, or the mud flats
of the Trent, Ouse or Humber river, or Wash,
anvwhere in fact for change of scene. It is a
fact too that in this wide count}' wherever rare
water-loving plants have l;)een recorded in the
past or are with us now, there wild chicks
have collected in masses during the autumn
months. This is just as certain as the corre-
lated law that wherever the Calluna-Erica-
P/cris-loving migrants rest we get our rarest
heath species.

On the other hand tlie Water-Hen is almost
]3urelv local, and unless severe snow and
frosts drive it awa}- is with us the whole year
round, with little additions to its numbers
except after the breeding season.

The result is that a single glance at the
above isolated pond list — and it only contains
about two-thirds of the species found in these
pond.s — tells the worker at once which species
are duck-carried and which are more locally
moved hx \\'ater-Hens. Tlie rarely found ones
are purel\- duck-carried, tlie common ones are
carried b\' both species ; the W^ild Duck from
a distance, and the Water-Hen locally- There
is, iiowe\-er, another and most important law
Iving under the surface of tliis frequency
table, wliich must always be looked out for
in the field and jotted down there. When a
rare species in isolated ponds is found in local
aggregates of ponds, or in associated ponds,
there is proof positive that this species is not
onlv \\'ild Duck-carried, but locally Water-
Hen dispersed. They are noted in this list as
locallv associated.

Another short article will be required to
show how these species are carried by these
birds.

JDIRWI. dl' TlIK WILD BIRD IXVESTIGATIOX SOCIETY.

THE COMMON TERN AND ITS ENEMIES.
liv H. C. WILLIAMSON, M.A., D.Sc,

Mariiw Liibofiitory. Aberdeen .

A vi^^it t(i ilie nesting-place of the Common | es-fifs are \i-i-\- cunspicuouN, ;in(l it seems likelv

'I'ern (Slcruii hirundo, I,.) is a ver\- interesi- tiial they help to guide the bird on its leiurn

iiig e\|)erience. Tile nests, eacii witli iwo or [ and enalde it to recognise iis propert\ . A

lliree eggs, are tliicld\- scattered o\er ihe \ Tern lias been obser\-ed lo Ikixci- ai some

region of sand anil lurf. 'I'he egg has a dark height, as if in order to locate the nest. I have

chocoLaie ground colnur, wiili tlark brown obser\-ed in several instances tlie nest con-

V\'^. I. — The Coiimioii Teni (Sterna liinindc. I,).

spills; there is considerable \arialion iii llie
coloiiratiim. A |ierfectl\- white egg, which is
said to be infertile, is, however, sometimes
to be seen.

I he nest is often mereK' a tlepressioii in the
turf, or a little hollow scraped in the sand,
tiirnished with a wisp nl dried grass. Ihe

lain iw(i similarl\- coloured eggs, and a third
ot a darker or lighter ground colour. One
not unfrequenth' conies upon an cj;g. whole,
and ii ma\- be fresh. King awav from an\'
nest. it has been suggested thai a sheep
might ha\-e dislodged the egg, btii one would
expect, in such a ca.se, ih;il it miisi li;i\e

JOURNAL Ol- THE WILD BIKD L\\ KSTICATJOX SOCIETY.

been of necessity broken. Miglit it be a
stranger egg which the 'lern had evitTed '.•' It
appeared that a case in which one bird was
chasing another, might ha\e ijeen due lo a
dispute over a nest.

Great numbers of eggs are .said to be
destro}"ed, and the later nesting, in Jui\',
might be in part due t<j this fact. The Hooded
Crow is blamed for the em|5t\- egg-shells in
man\- cases.

fully. l""or exam|:)le, they may be invisible
when one looks horizontallv, but thev are
easih' detected from the height of an adult's
eye, \\ hen one ap])roaclies them. Occasionallv
one of the older birds will peck one, but most
of them lie quite still and submit to handling.

A large mortality has in certain vears
iiccuired among the Terns when tiie\- are
almost ready to Ify. Mr. L. Thomson and the
late .Mr. RaiiLsax', who tle\-oted attention to

Fig 2. — Nestlings of the Coniiiion Tern.

Young Terns are found on the links to-
wards the end of June and during Jul\'. The
chick does not seem to stay in the nest long
after hatching. It is a conspicuous object,
but remains quiet, if lifted and set dow n again
it runs off to cover. The predominant colour
is brown, with yellowish feet, and toes and
point of beak black. They try to conceal
theinselves, and to a certain extent success-

ihis matter, had suggested that the young
birds had died from starvation, due possiblv
to a dearth of \-oung herrings and sandeels
in tiie neighl)ouring .sea. If such a .scarcit}'
did occur it seems very probable that tlie
\()ung Terns would suffer .severel\'.

.\ \isil was paid to the terner}- on July 19th.
.\ large flock of Terns and Black-headed
(nills flew o\er the dunes. Man\- unhatched

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD INVESTIGATIOX SOCIETY.

'•i^'.ys weiv seen, aiitl nunicrdus nouiil;" I criis,
the majiirilN' of wllicli were aliiKisl reatly Ici
ll\-, wen- Ncaltered here and ihere aincnii^- ihe
lieni. Ai tliis staye the l)ircl is of a slali.sh
t'olouration, with a bla('l< ra[), wilh ret! healv
and lej^'s : die beai< has a black lip. Ihe
i)i(i\\ iiish tips of tlie feadiers still |)ersisi and
yi\e a tiarker tinge to i)arts. Ihe general
colouring" is now ap|iroaching that of the
adult. \'er\' few dead birtls were obserxed.
One little Tern whirl) lay gasping died when
it was lifietl. There was no external sign ol
injtirx'; the shock of capinre had e\identl\'
preci|-)iiated death. .\ like tragic result has
been observed in the case of a v'oung bird of
another species al.so.

It .seems probable that the voting Tern had
been exhausted by slar\-alion, for when it was
prepared for stuffing it was toiiiul to be thin.
If, liowrver, it was suffering from want ol
footl, it wa^ not due to a dearlli ot hslies, tor
a number of small herrings anil sandeels,
about three inches long, were found h'ing on
the dunes, and a fortnight later great C|iianti-
lies of \dung herrings were present in the sea
about twelve miles distant from the sjiot ;
there was no reason to suppose they were n<it
to be found nearer there. It seems to follow
then that the x-oung" Tern had been neglected
b\- its parents. May the old birds sometimes
lose touch with the chicks?

.Some of the little Terns were esconced each
in a nest-like hollow which it hatl |:)n\ssed out
in the bent. It looked as if tlie\- had occtipied
these posts for some time. One chick was
obser\-e(l in wait palienlh' on llii- sanil for
half-an-hoiir without stirring. These facts
seem to point to an instinct in the xiitnig 'Tern
not to waiuler awav from the place in which
its iKirent had left it. \i one place the xoung
were in a little flock. I am not aware whether
it is known it the parent can recognise its <iwn
chick or not, but if the old bird loses touch
wilh the young, it seems likelv that the latter
must starve. Stu'li an eventualitv miijht

result from the chicks being disturbed bv indi-
\ithials or by dogs.

Siiddenb' three Stoats apix-ared on a small
ttifted area, a little distance away. One was
hunting about as if on a scent, the two others
gambolled on the sward. .\ll three su(jn dis-
appeared in the bent.

As we a|iiiroached the s|5ol which the Stoats
had just \acated we found a young Tern
King on its back twisting abf)ut. It could
not stand, but it endeavoured to bite when it
was lifted. A liny wound was seen on the
back" of its head. T'urther on a Tern was
crouching; it seemed C|uite healthy but was
not very active. The back of the head showed
a cicatrized wouiid. This bird had probabh"
been attacked some time previoush", and had
reco\'ered. .Soon we came upon another Tern
lying on its side, ami making onlv a ver\'
feeble moxenient : it also had the wound on
the back of the head. This chick had been
seized close to the spot where it la\". A drop
of blood was sticking to the grass, and the
footmarks of the .Stoat were seen on the sand
a few inches away. Earlier in the da\' a
dead bird was found to have a bloody mark
<in the head. The wiiuncl seemed to be too
small to account for death, but now a sufficient
reason was afforded.

'The first rnentioned injured Tern lived for
two days, in a sort of comatose condition. It
sometimes tried to stand or lift its head, but
its neck appeared to be ixiralxsed. It was
restless as long as its head was uni-overed : it
struggled about till it managed to hide its
head in something. When it was lifted one
of the feet \ibraled ra]iicll\ . Allhough the
brain was injured other |)aris of its organisa-
tion were evidentlv sound. It breathed stead-
ily, digestion went on seeniingl\" normallv,
and faeces were ejected several times during
the |)eriod. Once ni" twice it uttered a feeble
cry. .\ttempts were niatle to feed it with
bread soakeil in milk. It allowetl the food to
lie pushed into its mniiih iiniil iis breathing"

JOURNAL OK THE WILD BIRD JXVESTIGATION" SOCIETY.

was interru]5iecl, whereupon il shook the
bread out. Some water and milk, however,
seemed to have been swallowed. On the follow-
ing day the bird appeared to have impro\-ed
a little. It seemed to try to take the food,
iind swallowed the bread more naturally, it
was able to lift its head a little, bin succumbed
later in the dav.

\\'hen the injur\- was examined, the wound
was foimd to be lin^', and was closed by a
I'loi of blood and sand. When the skin was
removed it was seen that one of the Stoat's
teeth had pentrated the skull abcn-e, while its
lower jaw had crushed in the back of the skull
near the left ear. .Much bleeding" had
occurred; the blood was collected amon"' the

The adult Terns were mobbing the Stoats,
but these marauders did not seem to appre-
ciate the fact. The instinct of the Tern which
forces it to mob an animal seems a little
luireasoning. For example, a \oung Black-
headed (iidl, whenex'er il tried to walk',
toppled head o\er heels. It was weak and
rested between its efforts ; it lUtered no crv
so far as coidd be heard. A fiiick of Terns
and Black'-headed Gulls were swooping down
at it, as if the_\' would peck it; one or two
came to the ground near it, they seemed to
be afraid of the unfortunate chick. It looks
as if the unwonted movements of one of tiieir
own kind frightened them. A Stock-Dove
nesting in one of the rabbit-holes is mobbed.

«
X

Fig. .'). — Track of Stoat shown bv the loe-inarks.

muscles of the neck, over the skull aiul round
the base of the beak. There was blood in the
cerebellum, but there did not ajipear tt) have
been much brain tissue destroyed.

If the Stoat in biting the bird does not
injure the brain it is possible that the Tern
mav survive the attack. Digestion of what
food happened to be in the .stomach will go
on while the injured bird pines away, and the
stomach of the dead bird may therefore be
emptv. Xo doubt starvation will tend to
hasten exhaustion.

It seems that it is to the Stoat's activities
that man\ of the deaths of the young Terns
are due. These birds wnll be an easy prey.
There are rabbits on the links, and se\-eral
carcases were met with.

It is surrounded and forced to the ground In-
the noisy crowd. This treatment is surelv
not in return for some injur\- done bv the
Do\e.

The track cjf the Stoat shows the points of
the feet in groups, separated from each other
bv a greater or less interval. The points that
compose the group are sometimes close to-
gether, at another time they ma\' be welJ
separated. It seems that in the latter case
the animal was travelling at a greater speed.
While in the first case the distance between
the groups was 21 inches, in the second it
was as much as 30 inches or 3 feet. In the
diagram the number of toe marks is not
shown deiinitel}', attention was not directed to
this point.

JOIKNAI, OF IIIK WILD KIRD INVESTIGATIOX SOCIETY.

.BIROS NEAR LONDON.

liv GLADYS M. TOWSEY.

I'lierc are |)n>l)al)l\' few ])laces clu.se lo a
yreal eii\- wliere .so many kinds of liirds are
111 he seen as in RirlniKinci Park, and few
people who enj()\- ils pleasant walks realise the
weahh of hird life aljoiu thein. Here we are
in the midst of a nimiher ot beaut ilul ojien
s])ai'es. I II one place iit least the I'ark adjoins
the still mitouched coiintr\- : on one side are
the airv heiyiils and sheltered hirrh woods of
Wimbledon Common : on another the i^forse
bushes and rich green flats of I lam, and the
(iartleiis of Kew and Hampton t'oiiri arc
within a walk. 1 he Park itself, whose size
ensures (|uielude, for those who seek it, has
within it nian\ fine okl trees, well i^Town
thickets and |)lantalions, open s^'rassN- spaces,
with e\er \-ar\ing levels, am! two large ponds.
HuriniL;' the summer time many of the ancient
oaks lose their first foliaye owing to the
depredations of countless caterpillars : gnats,
large and small, sing in the shach' glades and
damp hollows : flies buzz among (he bracken.
Nowhere is the ground regularh' cultivated;
no orchards or strawberr\- beds tempt even the
enemies of birds to make war on them. Who
(an wonder then that birds choose lo dwell
in ii place free from foes, tnll of delicious food,
and fanned by sweet air from open spaces.

An observer desirous of making a bird
score would do well lo enter the i'ark 1)\- wa\
of I lam Common. Here, on a da\' in .Ma\ or
|iine, Willow Warblers are e\-er\-w here,
Whilethroats ll\' up from the gorse btishes.
Skylarks and .Meadow i'ipiis rise singing
trom till- groiuid. The song of the \'ellow
Hammer comes from the hawthorns, a Reed
Kuniing sits and chirps out ils spring notes
trom the r\ishes. And this is not all, for con-
stantly trom somewhere among the trees at
the edge of the Common the metallic crv of
the Wr\ neck rings out. I>rilliani Linnets Hit

from jjlace to place, and further on near the
i'ark wall liulltinches feed among the bushes.
There is another bird that likes the hawthorns
best, the Red-I5acked Shrike, which ma\-
often be seen darting after the bumble bees.
.\11 day long the Swifts are wheeling over-
head. I'wd \ears ago the .Stonechat lived on
the Common, but since then its voice has been
silent. Perhaps it was driven away bv the
Red-Hacked Shrike, or fell a prey to the hard
winters. .Among these less common birds,
the familial' i'hrushes and Hlackbirds, the
Rooks, the Robins, and the Hedge Sparrows
tend to sing and nest almost unnoticed, but
lhe\' are here in ahimdance all the same.

In the Park the scene changes, the trees
are larger and there are no gorse bushes, but
there are still hawthorns. Jackdaws and Star-
lings nest in holes in the old trees. Redstarts
are exceptionallv common, and sing their
songs from the oak' trees instead of from stone
walls as in the iioitli countrv. Among the
trees the screech of the Jay may often be
heard, and though it is apparently unmolested
it seems as shy as when it li\'es in preserved
wdods. A few Carrion Crows take up their
residence in the Park, but they are much
commoner by the river-side in the London dis-
ti'ict. Missel- Thru slus can nearlv alwavs be
seen in this part of the I'ark, and Chaffinches

pink'-pink " among the tre(\s. It is among
the oaks anti beeches of the lower Park bor-
dering Llam C"ommon and i'etersham that
I-'lycatchers and Tits are most often seen.
Cliiffchaffs, (iartlen Warblers and Blackcaps
sing here loo. On the higher ground,
among the scatieicd half-dead oaks, 'Lree
Pipits always sing in the simimer time, and
anyone who watches cioseh' will see that the
sparrows that hop in and out of tlie lioles in
ilie s.ime trees ;M'e 'l"ree-.S|3arrows. In earh'

s

JOURNAL Ol' THE WILD BIRD I.WESTKJATIOX SOCIETY.

May Wheatears loiter for a few days in the
open parts here, but they pass on to nest else-
where. The less fastidious Whinchats stay
and build and may be constantly seen, and
heard singing their chattering songs. Here
again is a glade where the trees are fine and
tall, which seems to be a favourite haunt of
Redstarts, and liere too the Tree-Creeper
winds its way round the trunks in its ceaseless
search for insects, and the bubbling notes of
the Nuthatch fall on the ear, or a Green
Woodpecker hangs motionless for a minute
on a branch, then darts across the patli and
away out of sight. This part of the Park
borders a plantation known as Sidmouth
Wood, where the Herons build and the Xight-
jar sometimes spends its summers, but for the
last year or two it seems to have deserted the
Park. On the Penn Ponds the Great Crested
Grebe brteds, and so do Coots, Moor-Hens
and Mallards.

'llie largest enclosure in the Park is tlie
Isabella Plantation. Like the others, it con-
sists of fine trees, with a tangle of Rhododen-
drons beneath them, tlirough which it is im-
possible to pass. IMost birds do not seem to
like the rather stuffy atmosphere of the thick
undergrowth, but the Great Spotted Wood-
pecker apparently nests in this safe place, for
it may sometimes be seen flying from tree to
tree or heard rattling in the spring. In the
holes in the trees just outside the plantation
Stock-Doves nest: Turtle-Doves come in tlie
summer, and Ring-Doves are common. This
does not end the list of Park birds, for
the Swallows and Martins iiave not been men-
tioned, neither have Kestrels nor Owls, nor
the occasional wanderers like the Hawfinches,
nor several others. But it has shewn perhaps
that witliin a few miles of tlie largest cit\' in
the world more birds are to be seen than most
people imagine.

Between Richmond and London, bv tlie

Thames at Chiswick and Kew, man\- of the
birds already mentioned may be seen again,
;md others swell the list. Reed-Warblers sing
loudly into the unnoticing ears of the streams
of people that pass along the towing path on
Sundays. Kingfishers are not infrequentlv to
be seen, and sometimes as many as a dozen
Little Grebes come, no doubt from frozen
waters. Occasionalh- in the winter lime, too.
Teal appear with' the Mallard. The Black-
headed Gulls worr}- the Tufted Duck in hard
weatiier, attempting to take the fish the\"
catch, but the Duck seem to know how to look
after themselves. Kiltiwakes come up the
ri\'er in fair numliers, but the\" are not so
common as the Hlack-headed species. Pied
\\^agtails stay all the year roimd, and twice
a vear, in Spring and Autumn, the Grev
Wagtail makes its appearance for a few davs.
Among all tlie different songs thai ring out
to the river's edge from Kew Gardens in the
summer time the Lesser AA''hitethroat's rather
monotonous notes may sometimes be distin-
guished. The Nightingale not verv long ago
a frequenter of the Gardens, was heard again
last May. Towards the end of summer, when
(mlv the Robin sings, the Swallows, House-
and Sand-Martins visit the river in vast num-
bers to feed on the tiny flies that swarm in
mvriads over the surface of the water : —

"Hedge-crickets sing; and now wiUi treble soft
The redbreast wliistles from a garden croft :
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies."

Graduallv the Swallow swarms diminish; a
few birds linger on imtil October, but
although there is a feeling of regret at their
departure , because it means thai winter is
approacliing, «hal does it matter? Tiie\- \\ill
come again, and in the months before the\-
come there are many other things to see — the
Fieldfares, the Redwings and the Gulls, and
perhaps others that have never appeared
before.

JOUUXAL OF THE WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION- SOCIETY.

SOME REMARKS ON THE FOOD OF THE BARN-OWL fSTRIX FLAMMHA. LINN.)
Bv WALTER E. COLLINGE, D.Sc, F.L.S., M.B.O.U.

In a recent paper' the writer has (haw n
attention to the relationship existing Ix-lween
hawks and owls and agriculture, and he has
been asked to publish a voluiiielric analysis
of the food of owls, such as has recently been
yiven for a number of our commoner birds. -

As vei we have only a record for the Barn-
0\\\. foimded upon an examination of the

her, ant! the pellets (hiring;' eacit monlli of the
year.

An analysis ol this nuiterial sIkjws that the
whole ot the fooil consists of animal matter.
Of the total bulk 7.5 per cent, is ctjmpcxsed of
inJLirious insects, 6S.5 per cent, of mice and
volfs, (J. 3 per cent, of house sjjarrows, star-
linL;s and blackbirtis, g.5 per cent, of shrew

Fif;. 1. — Diagrammatic Representation of the Percentages of I'ood of the Harn-Owl. The portions
sharleil by longitudinal lines represent food that it is beneficial the bird should eat : those stippled,
food that it is injurious they should eat, and the blank portion food of a neutral nature.

contenis of twelve stoinachs and upwards of
three hundred pellets, but as this bird is such
a \aluable one to the ajjfrictilttirist it seems
desirable .to publish the fig^ures.

The twelve specimens examined weie ob-
tained, one each month, from .March to Octo-

' Tlie Ci)ntein])orary Review, 1919 (May), pp. 576-5SO.
-journ. I)d. Ag-ric, 1918 (Sept.), pp. 66S-691.17 figs.: 1919
(March I, jip 144.1.1462. 9 fig^s.

mice, 4.S |)er cent, of small birds, and i per
cent, of neutral insects, 'i'hus 85.3 per cent,
of the fdod is benelici;ii, 13.5 per cent, injuri-
ous, and I per cent, neutral {l*"ig. i).

I looper's statement,' th;it nine-tenths of this
bird's footl consists of mice, would seem to be
a fairlv reasonable eslimate. The actual num-

' Journ. Soc. .Xrls. 190(., vol. Iv. pp. 71-SS.

10

JOURNAL OI' THE WILD BIRD IWKSTIGATIOX SOCIETY.

her of individuals that are destroyed must be
enormoiis. Adams ^ records that in 1,124
])eliels lie found remains of 2,407 rats and
mice.

It is obvious that a bird of such t:^reat
lUiliU- siiould be verv stricll\' ]3rotecled, and
that very severe penalties should be exacted
in the case of their destruction or their e,^gs.
I'nfortunatelv, at present this is not so, and
in spite of statements to the contrary, num-
bers of tliese birds are killed annually and
their egi^s destroyed in larj^e numbers.

in view of the enormous increase of farm
vermin during the past few years, it would
surelv be a wise decision if our different agri-
cultural societies and farmers' clubs were to
interest themselves in a subject so closely
related to their calling; and if our County
Councils were to exert themselves and see that
the Orders made under the provisions of the
Wild Bird Protection Acts were not permitted
to become obsolete.

ijoiirn. N'ampt. N. H. Soc, 1913, p. 63.

VARIATIONS

IN THE DIET OF WILD
BIRDS.

Bv GEORGE ABBEY,

Peterstield, Hants.

The following are some fads thai have come
under my notice, relating to birds associated
with horticulture, agriculture and aboricul-
lure in various counties, and the variations
from their normal diet.

The .Starling a quarter of a centur\ ago was
not a fruit destroyer, now it has become one
of the worst, commencing with cherries it has
acc|uired a taste for plums, apples, pears,
damsons, gooseberries and elderberries, with
the addition of many farm crops. The Ja\-,
in some localities, besides destroAing eggs is
a glutton for peas. In Kent and .Sussex they
stripped man\- rows, but here in Hants, where
ihev are many limes as numerous, ihe\' have
so far left tlie peas alone. .\ neighbour
within a C|uarter of a mile complains that he
cannot keep a straw berr\- owin^ to the Jaws,
here they leave them alone. I consider the
Jav the greatest enemv of ihe Wood-Pigeon.
I ha\e proof that in one locaIit\' the increase
of this bird decimated the pigeons. .Magpies
are even more numerous, but from personal
obser\'ation and that of others, no damage has
been detected.

During the absence of the keepers during
the past four years stoats and weasels have
enormoush' increased along the Chiltern
Hills, here with similar hills the}- have not
increased at all. Field mice are also a plague
in the former localit}-, where Kestrels used
to be \-ery plentiful. Tlie Barn-Owl and
Brown Owl are unequalled mousers. liut I
know where (^wls are very plentiful and mice

tl lO.

In .some localities Jackdaws are more de-
structive than Rooks, having a liking for
eggs, \oung birds, and numerous crops. On
one occasion they stripped two long rows of
peas, and followed successive crops from

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION SOCIETY.

II

^prciiiiint;' to j3(>ds. In llie same yarclcii iht-y
annually stripped every cherry tree just as the
fruit was colouring. Less than a mile away
1 saw a Cdlom- of these birds follow miil;' the
])loui;ii, and being curiotis to learn their object
1 shot three, and found iheir crops full of
wirew I inns.

Uodks li;ive been so well studied as to their
(lid tliai I only add the following obserxation
with reference to fruit destruction. ()n one
■occasion ahotU five hundred of these liirds
settled on an apple and pear orchard, and in
about an hour destroyed half of a good crop.

.\niongst tlie warblers the F5lackcap has
become a pest to fruit, e\'en worse than the
Lesser W'hitethroat. Both can get through
ordinary netting, so that cherries, currants
and raspberries suffer considerably. Last year
the Ulackcap destroyed the figs as fast as they
ripened. Fiftx' vears ago this bird always
visited a c-Jtnnp of red and black elderberries,
and remained well into .\ovember each vear.

Blue, Cireat, .Marsh, and Cole Tits annually
ciestro\- the garden peas, late crops are mostly
eaten b\- the first two species, which are per-
sistent in attack. On one occasion the M<'irsh-
Tit destro\ed half the blooms of inside peach
trees, and there were no insects in the
blooms.

The (jreat Tit destroxed a hive oi bees,
one of four. It was very amusing to see the
Tits fighting the bees. Thev succeeded in
drawing them out in winter by tapping at the
entrance to the hive. The spot selected for
dissection was a gooseberrv bush, and the
heaj) of remains of bees was quite six inches
high. The .Spotted Flycatcher has a similar
repiuation, bm fortunatelv it is very rare.

The Bullfinch, king of bud eaters, is some-
times beaten bv the House-Sparrow. In
jirivate gardens .several years go by without
an attack, for no apparent rea.son. The cater-
pillar of Toririx viridumi, L. is often fed to
the young, and also to the nestlings of the
Rook, Starling and Jackd;iw.

I he chief destroyers of ri])e corn are the
House-.Sparrow and W'oocl-I'igeon. In
Oxfordshire, bordering the Chiltern Mills, the
Greenfinch and C'haffinch take their place,
bul the Tree-.Sparrow nia\- sometime, as at
.\sion Rowant, replace the House-Sparrow,
where a big grove of bamboos bordering
a stream favoured their as.senibling in that
localit\-. Twehe years ago less than lift\-
roosted in the bamboos, two vears ago there
were manv htmdreds.

I have often foimd wirewdrms in the crop
of the Partridge. Pheasants on one occasion
pulled all the crowns off a large bed of Lil\-
of the \'alley. The Robin, generalh' free
from mischief, at times attacks ripe grapes,
and red currants are also damaged by them.
rintle-13o\"es, formerlv not abundant enough
to do much damage, are now, in some locali-
ties, proving verv mischievous to sprouting
crops and ripe corn. These birds have vastly
increased during the last twenty \'ears.

The Crossbill, now that it is found in so
few localities, gix'es few chances to stud\' its
diet. In 1S72 1 had imder observation for
some weeks a large flock of a hundred or more
in Cleveland, N'orkshire. They first fed on
the seeds of the larch and Scotch fir, and
afterwards on the young shoots oi silver fir.
Several times since I have seen them feeding
on various fir cones.

.Siskins annually visit alder for its .seed. I
observed them in considerable numbers in a
big grove in Oxfordshire. In Hertfordshire
an Abies canadensis is annually covered
with cones, and is visited by a flock of
Siskins.

Respecting tiie results of stomach anahses,
the various items mentioned show to a small
extent how results can vary, even in the same
locality, bm generally the evidence obtained
from such leaves no doubt as to the verdict
for good or e\il ; field observations must al.so
be carried out over a wide area and for some
duration of time.

12

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION' SOCIETY.

THE REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENTAL

COMMITTEE ON THE PROTECTION

OF WILD BIRDS.

.Vll interested in the protection of wild birds
will read this report with interest. This Com-
mittee was appointed in 1913 " To inquire
what action has been taken under the Wild
l>ird Protection Acts for the protection of
wild birds, and to consider whether any
Amendments of the Law or Improvements in
its Administration are required." Through-
out the inquiry the Committee have borne in
mind the unsatisfactory state of the law at
present, and the desirability of any future law
being simple, easily understood, and likely
to achieve the foHowing objects : —

(i.) Birds that are rare or harmless, or are
positivelv valuable because of their utility or
beautv or the beauty of their song, should
be protected as far as possible.

(ii.) Farmers, gardeners, and preservers of
gaine and fish should be allowed to protect
their interests against injurious birds.

(iii.) The creation of a large number of
l^ettv offences should be avoided, and there
should be no vexatious iiilei-ference with the
studv of natural history.

The Committee deals at considerable length
with the existing state of the law, and state
that there is no doubt that during the past
tift\- \ears there has been a great increase in
bird life in this country. Many species h;ive
returned and are now breeding regularly with
us, while in the case of some of the commoner
species they have increased to such an extent
as to become pests, and the.se call for energetic
measures for their control.

Tlie law, however, has been largely ineffec-
ti\e in protecting very rare birds and their
eggs. The temptation to shoot an unknown
bird seems irresistible, and the Committee
fears that this destructive instinct in a large
section of the population will prove ineradic-
able whatever laws are passed.

TWO METHODS OF PRCnECTION.

" Turning to the question of proposed new
legislation, the Committee presents a series,
of important recommendations. First of all,
with regard to the protection of birds, i\\t>
methods were suggested to the Committee.
The tlrst is that birds to lie protected should
be named, anv bird not named being left
unprotected. The other is that all bird.s-
should be protected, except certain ver\- com-
mon and harmful birds named in a ' black
list.' The Committee considered that the
best solution was to be found in a modifica-
tion of the existing system, giving protection
to all birds during the breeding season (from
March ist to .September ist inclusive), sub-
ject to the right of an owner or occupier of
land, or person atuhorized b\' him in writing,,
to take on such land any bird injurious to
his interests, except birds in two schedules,,
which are specified belnw. With regard tO'
the birds mentioned in the two schedules, it
is proposed to give absolute protection duringf
the breeding season to those mentioned in the
first, and absolute protection all the year
round to those mentioned in the second.
There should be power to \'ar)- the close time
and the schedules, and to exempt certain,
destructi\e birds froin all protection.

PROPOSED CLOSE SKASON FOR WOODCOCK.

The central ainliorit\- should ha\"e power,,
on the application n\ the local authority, to
protect all birds, with specified exceptions,
throughout the whole or part of the local area.
There should be a close time tor woodcock
from February ist to October ist in each
\ear. The nests and eggs of birds mentioned
in the two schedules should be protected by
statute, and the central authorit\- slioidd, sa\'e
in exceptional circimistances, maintain the
imiform protection of birds and eggs. .Special
protection is proposed for plover and wood-
cock eggs and nests, and it should be am

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION SOCIETY.

13

offence to take, dislurlj, or destroy the nest
of any bird whose eggs are protected.

Power should exist to create sanctuaries;
and certain areas, such as the New Forest,
and areas controlled by ilie \\'ar Office and
the Admiralty, should be maintained auto-
matically as reserves for bird life. There
-shoidd be complete protection of all birds and
eggs within all Royal forests, subject to a
|irovision allowing the killing or taking of
|)articidar birds or the taking of their eggs
1)\- authorized persons. The State might use-
full\- consider the grant of a small subsid\-
to assist in the provision of watchers for pub-
lic sanctuaries. All killing or taking of birds
in an\- public place, highwa\', b\wa\-, com-
mon, or waste land should be prohibited
throughout the year. There should be general
]:)rc)tection of all birds, eggs, and nests
throughotn the countr\' on Sundays. There
shtnild be a provision for the granting of
licences by the central authorit\- on the advice
of an Ornithological Advisory Committee,
the creation of which is recommended."

The hojielessness of the present .Vets and
1I1C ilitihcidties of administration are vividly
brought out in the Minutes of Evidence. A
|ierfectly simple matter, vv/.., the protection
of all beneficial and rare birds, has been so
muddled by these Acts that the\- ha\-e almost
become dead letters. It is high time that the\'
were repealed and replaced b}' a simple vet
comprehensive .\ct framed on the lines of the
recommendations in this \aluable report.

The schedules mentioned above are as
follows : —

1 . (To receive absolute protection during
the breeding season). — Arctic or Richardson's
skua, black-throated diver, black-tailed god-
wit, capercaillie, dotterel, duck (all species),
eared grebe, fork-tailed petrel, goldfinch,
great-crested grebe, great skua, greenshank,
grey lag-goose, hobb\-. kestrel, kingfisher,
marsh warbler, merlin, nightjar, nightingale,
|)eregrine falcon, pied tlycatcher, (|uail, raven.

led-necked phalarope, red-throated diver,
ringed plo\er, ruff and reeve, siskin, Sclav-
onian-grebe, snipe, stone-curlew, swan, terns
(all specie.s), water-rail, whimbrel, woodlark,
woodpeckers (all species), and wr\'neck.

2. (To receive absolute protection all the
\ear round). — Avocet, Baillon's crake, beard-
ed reedling or bearded titmouse, bittern,
bustard, buzzard, chough, crested titmouse,
Dartford warbler, golden eagle, golden oriole,
harriers (all species), honey buzzard, hoopoe,
Kentish plover, kite, long-eared owl, osprev,
Pallas sand grouse, sea eagle, short-eared
owl, spoonbill, St. Kilda wren, iawn\' owl,
white or barn owl.

THE JOURNAL OF THE

WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION
SOCIETY.

The Journal is supplied free to all Ordinary and Associate
Members. Non-vievibers of the Society may obtain it from the
publishers (post free) on forwarding subscriptioii of 2'^s. 6d.

AH matter intended for publication should he written on one
side of the paper only. Typed MS. is desirable. Unrelated
subjects should be dealt with on different sheets. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications. Xo matter can he
returned unless a stamped and directed envelope is enclosed.

All communications should be addressed to Dr. U'. E. Collinge,
St. Andrews, Scotland.

EDITORIAL.

tL

OUR SOCIETY.

The need of a strong Society that would voice
the feelings of the country with reference to the
many problems connected with wild bird life has
long been experienced by students of this
important subject, and if any vindication were
necessary for launching a further organization,
it is at once forthcoming in the splendid response
made by ornithologists and others interested
throughout the country.

That a wide field of activity lies before the
Societv no one doubts. The subject of our wild
birds and all pertaining to them has too long
been, to use the words of a member, " the

14

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIKD IXVESTIGATIOX SOCIETY.

shuttlecocks of sentimentality on the one side,
and of prejudice on the other." We wish to see
this changed, and the change will only come
about hv a deeper and better understanding of
this important subject.

Our aim must be to encourage investigation,
for without the solid foundation of accurate
knowledge it is impossible to go forward, to
right the many existing anomalies, or even to
lake' .-m Intelligent interest in the subject.

In a Ijroad and tolerant spirit we wish to view
all the various phases and departments of what
has aptlv been described as " the wider study
of Bird Life," and to thi ^ end we invite the
active and cordial co-operation of all our
members.

The objects of the -Society cannot be too
widely known. They are : —

(a) The more intensive study of the ways and
halaits of British birds.

(b) To discuss new discoveries, to exchange
experiences, and to carefully consider the best
methods of work.

(c) To give opportunity to individual workers
of announcing proposed investigations, so as to
bring out suggestions and prevent unnecessary
duplication of work.

((/) To suggest, when possible, certain lines of
in\estigation upon subjects of general interest.

((•) To further the protection of all beneficial
and non-injurious wild birds, and the repression
of realh injurious species.

(I) To influence and educate public opinion as
to the destructiveness or usefulness of wild birds
to agriculture, horticulture, forestry, the fish-
eries, etc.

(,<r) To discourage egg and bird-collecting,
except under proper guidance, or for scientific
purposes.

[Ii] To advocate tlie iniprox emoni and modifi-
cation of the existing Laws relating to wild birds.

(/) To advocate the establishment of bird
sanctuaries, under efficient control.

(/) To establish local branches througliout the
Lniled Kingdom.

{!;) .\nd generally to promote the study and
ad\ancc the science of Ornithology in all its
aspects.

embraces a wide range of knowledge. .Apart
from the purely systematic side, many workers-
have for some time felt that the subject deserved
more adequate recognition in this country, and
that a medium of publication was necessary that
would devote itself to all the numerous aspects
of the science, amongst which may be mentioned
such matters as : —

.Acquired Characters, .Adaptations, structural
and functional. Care of Offspring, Coloration, the
County Council Orders and Wild Birds, the
Destruction of Birds, Dimorphism, the Kffects
of Climate, the Food and Feeding Habits.
Geographical Distribution, Growth, Habits and
Habitats, the Influence of Environment and
Isolation, Legislation, Life-histories, Melanism,
Migration, Nestling Birds, Nidification, Plum-
age, the Protection of Wild Birds, the Provision
of Sanctuaries or Bird Reserves, Pterylosis,
Repressive Measures, the L'tilitv of Birds,.
Variation, etc., etc.

The subject of Ornithology or the Science of
Birds is n liroad and comprehensive one, and

The Wild Bird Inyestigation -Society is in no-
sense a rival to any existing organization. We
desire to work in harmony with all that are
interested in Ornithology. Of the organizations
and publications already in existence we would
mention : —

'I'lie Britis]! Ornithnlos^ists' Union. — Secretary,
E. C. Stuart Baker, Chief Police Office, West
India Dock, London, E. 14. Publishes C|uarterly
The Ihis.

The Ai'iculiiiiuil Society. — Hon. Sees., Miss B.
.Alderson, Park House, \\'orksop, and Dr. A. G.
Butler, 124, Beckenham Road, Beckenham,
Kent. Publishes monthly The Aviciillural
yf<ii;(izi}ie, edited by Dr. Graham Renshaw,
Bridge House, Sale, nr. Manchester. Hertford :
-Stephen .Austin &• -Sons.

The .'^elhonie .Soc;V(v {Lid.). — Hon. Sec,
W. M. Weill), F.L.S.,'83, .Avenue Chambers,
London, W.C. i. Publishes The Sclhirnc
.Miii:ci:iue. London : George Philip & -Son, Ltd.

Tlie Royal Society for the Protection of
Birds. — Sec, Miss L. Gardiner, 23, Queen .Anne's
Gate, London, S.A\". Publishes quarterly Bird
iVofc; and \eu's.

Britisli Birds. — Publi.shed monthly. Edited bv
H. F. Witherby, M.B.O.U., the Rev. F. C. R.
lourdain, M.A., and Norman F. Ticehurst, M..A,
London: Witherby & Co., 326, High Holborn.

JOL"JN\!. OK THIC WILD BIRD IXVKSTK .ATIOX SOCIKTV.

TWO INTERESTING CASES OF MELANISM.

Durini;' the ])asl few months two interesting"
i-ascs of melanism iia\e eonie under niy notice
which seem worlhv of record. Recently, whilst
w ati-hiiii;- a iiiiniber of Hlue Tits on a feeding-
boartl outside m\ dining-room window, my
attention was arrested by what at first sight
ajipeart'd to be a black example. On my
Jipproaching the window it flew away, but
returned in a feu minutes. On the second anil
subsequent \isits 1 was able to notice it more
carefullv, and lake notes of its exact colour.
The whole of the breast and ventral pari of the
body was a \ery dark grey, with the head, back
and wings almost black; rump and upper tail-
•coverts, dark grev ; cheeks and throat, lighter
grev ; legs toes and claws, bluish-grey.

The second ease was a Swallow that had flown
into the house. On pi(-king the specimen up, I
wa.s surprised to find that it was entirely black
on the ventral as well as on the dorsal surface,
•except for a small, greyi.sh-brown patch under the
•chin, indeed when held in the hand with the tail
•covered, it might easily have been mistaken for
a .Swift. — W'aitkr E. Collinge.

STRANCe ACCIDENT TO A HERON

Dr. H. C. Williamson has recently sent me a
specimen of a Heron (Ardea cinerea, L.), which
was found strangled on the telephone wires at
the Ray of Nigg, /Xberdeen, on .April 3rd. It
had been observed going to and coming from the
bea(~h, •.nid on one of these journeys it had
I'vidently poked its head between two of the
leleplioni' wires and turned a somersault, twist-
ing- tlie two wires into a loop round lb- neck.
I'he vertebral column was dislocated, and also
the left knee. .\ similar accident, so Dr.
Williamson informs me, happened to a gull some
littk' tinie asro. — W ai.tek K. Coi-Lingk.

as forest or other reserves, should be proclaimed
Bird .Sanctuaries,' and should lie jealously
guarded from deletion; they are also a national
assi't, and increase in value as time goes on. It
is only right that we should leave some of inn-
country as we found it, so that it may be enjoyed
by our children's children, and that they, too,
may see the wonderfully interesting and useful
fauna that their forefathers saw."

DldlilV Lk SofEF,
Hon. Sec. the Roval Australian Ornithologists' Union.

" We should recognise the birds as a national
asset, and do all in our power to preserve them,
and let them have as many sanctuaries as pos-
-_sible. Portions of our .State, which are set apart

THE ECONOMIC STATUS OF CANADIAN HAWKS.

In an interesting- pajjcr on the Hawks of the
Canadian Prairie Proyinces in their relation to
agriculture (Canada (leol. .Surv. , Mus. , Bull.
\o. j8), .Mr. P. A. Taverner has made a valuable
contribution to the literature of the economic
ornithology of Canada. He rightly condemns
the few- injurious species and strongly urges
protection for the beneficial ones, and points out
that it is unfortunate that the farmer and sports-
man often do not possess the knowledge neces-
sary to distinguish the different species ; to most
of them a hawk is a hawk, and something to be
killed. " W'ith so much at stake, a farmer or
sportsman is no more justified in ad\'ancing
ignorance as an excuse than he is in proclaiming
his inability to distingush between crops and
weeds, or to know- the various insect pests that
he has to fight, or the game that the La\y allows
him to shoot. In fact, discrimination is a part
of his business as a farmer or sportsman, and as
such should be studied." It is clearly evident
that the Canadian farmer is very like our own,
and that the reallv important things relating- to
agriculture are not yet taught in the agricultural
colleges. However, this carefullv illustrated
l)ul!etin will do much to remove such ig-norance.

THE SELECTION OF SNAIL-SHELLS BY
THE SONG-THRUSH.

The Cjuestion whether the .Song-Thrush is
capable of selecting the different coloured shells
of Ihlix ncnwnilis. or whether one variety is
more iialatable than another, has formed the
subject of a scries of experiments made bv the
Misses Haviland and Pitt (.\nn. Mag. Xat. Hist.,
iqif), pp. 525-5^,1). .As a result of their work
they are of opinion that the different varieties are
selected t(uitc haphazard, and that one is not

t6

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD IWICSTK lATlOX StlCIETV,

more palatable than another. The many-banded
form would seem to be more abundant in bushy,
shaded places, and as the thrushes as a rule
prefer open feeding-grounds, it is possible that
this mav account for the higher proportion of
unhanded shells at certain " anvils." Finally,
they find no evidence which would lend support
to the view that the young thrushes recognize
and crack snail-shells instinctively. On this
latter point, however, more extended observa-
tions would seem to be desirable.

THE PART PLAYED BY THE EGG SHELL IN THE
FORMATION OF THE CHICKS SKELETON.

It has long- been known that a fresh fowl's
egg contains very little lime, an egg weighing
(So gm. has usually not more than 35 mgm. This
being so, the question arises, " How does the
chick manage to form its skeleton with so small
a quantity of lime, and does it obtain a further
supplv; if so, where from? " Messrs. Delezennc
and Fourneau (.'Xnn. de ITnst. Pasteur, 1918,
pp. 413-429) have re-investigated the subject, and
after making a large number of experiments,
they are led to the following conclusions : —

(i) The lime in the content of the egg increases
about 300 per cent, during the period of incuba-
tion. The increase is traceable about the loth
and r2th dav, is very marked about the T6th and
17th davs, and continues regularly until hatching.
(2) In an unfertilized egg put to incubate there
is no increase of lime in the egg content. (3) In
the egg of the peahen, the increase in lime in the
egg content was 500 per cent., and in duck eggs
.slightly below 400 per cent. (4) There is no
increase of phosphorus during incubation, .'\part
therefore from protection, the egg-shell has a
phvsiological role, viz., supplying the embryo
with a lime reserve. It is thought that by modi-
fications of the \-ile11us and albumen during
incubation, a substance is set free in determined
quantities \\hich has the power of dissolving a
definite amount of the lime of the egg-shell.

WILD BIRDS AND AEROPLANES

In his i-xidcncc I)erore the Departmental Com-
mittee on tlic Protection of Wild Birds, the
Minutes of which have recently been published,
Lord William Percv suggested that in any future
."^ct, to the prohibition of shooting from a
mechanicallv propelled boat, there should be
added, " or other vehicle," in order to deal with

the aeroplane. He continued : "It may not be
worth thinking of yet [1914], but it may be very
much worth thinking of a very few years hence.
It seems to me aeroplanes are going to be a
deadly enough factor in driving birds away in any
case, and if they were to be used for shooting
from, the last hope that birds may get used to
them and regard them as harmless nuisances is
gone. .Shooting from aeroplanes has already
been tried (I know a man who has done it), and
there is a letter in this week's Field describing its
jovs, so that it is not so far off that it can be
ignored ! "

Captain Gladstone, in his recent book Birds
and ihe War, states : " The formation of aero-
dromes in various parts of the country had but
little effect on the bird population in their
vicinity," a statement which does not agree with
our own observations. We should like to hear
the opinions of members who have made observa-
tions on this matter.

A BIRD BOOK FOR CHILDREN

Of the manv popular books on birds, not a
few are spoilt by inaccurate statements, whilst
others are only poor compilations, illustrated
with a series of charming photograplis. To
neither of these categories does Capt. Pike's
recent \nlume, entitled Birdlaud's [.itllr People.
belong. The author of Heine Life in Hird-
Idii'l believes in seeing nature at first hand.
" I liave written and pictured," he says, " what
I saw," and his descriptions are as delightful as
his photographs. Here are twelve nature studies
for children which it would be difficult to improve
upon, and many young children, and old ones
too, will read this little volume with both pleasure
and profit, and will leave it wishing for further
aicnunts of Birdland's little people, which we
hope will be forthcoming. It is delightfully
written, beautifully illustrated, and the printing-
lea\cs nothing to' be desired.

A PLAGUE OF VOLES

In a recent number of the Gardeners' Clinuiicle
Mr. A Trevor Battye calls attention to the plague
of \'oles in Hampshire. These rodents appeared
in large numbers in 1917 and 1918, but thanks
to sea-gulls coming on to the pasture land, and a
" quite phenomenal " number of kestrels, they
have bei'U held in check. It is in such cases as
this, w lien reported upon, that the public arc-

JDLKNAL 01-" THK Wll.U BIRD INVESTK lATlUN SOCIKTV.

br()u<,'-ht to realize what a potent factor for good
our wild birds are. During the past four years
X'oles and other farm vermin have largely
increased, so that it is especially necessary now
tliat all birds that destroy them, such as owls,
the kestrel and sea-gulls, should be offcreil every
l^rotection.

RECONSTRUCTION AND BIRD PROTECTION.

In a recent issue of Hinl XdIcs and Xcii'S a
\i-rv al)le plea is put forth on behalf of Bird
Protection. The writer very truly states that
resolute and strenuous action is needed to over-
come the existing apathy, indifference, and hope-
lessness. The defects in the present Wild Birds'
Protection .\cts are admitted; "they have
notoriouslv proved insufficient," the writer states,
and we fully agree with all that is said respecting
making them " simple, clear, and definite," and
for once and for all putting an end to the
"collector," "egg-dealer," and "bird-catcher."

The education in these matters of the worker
on the land and the rural child, we are told, is
imperative, opportunity must be " afforded for
the opening of children's eyes and ears, the
lumianising of their minds, and the sweetening of
their souls." Truly there is a great work for
nature-lovers, ornithologists, field-naturalists, and
others to do, and in this writer's words, "It is
lime for action." Through ignorance, thought-
lessness, and greed, we are being robbed of a
national asset of incalculable value, and one
which once destroyed will be exceedingly difficult,
if not impossible, to replace.

THE GOULD LEAGUE OF BIRD LOVERS

The organization for bird-protection in .\us-
tralia, better known as the Gould I^eague of Bird
Lovers, is an active and flourishing society, with
a huge membership, of which school children
form a large percentage. .\mongst other
activities, it supplies various public parks and
gardens, school grounds, etc., with nesting-
boxes, bathing-pools, and food-tables, which,
whilst affording considerable interest to visitors,
prove of great value to the birds. The various
.States also have a Bird Day, on which special
papers or addresses are given on bird-life and its
utilitv, in the public schools. The good this
organization is doing in instilling a love and
knowledge of birds into the rising generation
•cannot be over-estimated.

THE CALIFORNIAN FISH AND GAME
COMMISSION.

There are few organizations doing better work
as regards the conservation of wild-life than the
Californian Fish and (jame Commission. .Vpart
from other interesting literary matter, their
monthlv journal, Californian Fisli and (kiinc, is
replete with interest, and evidences a really live
and active body. This Commission is entirely
self-supporting, receiving its annual revenue of
about 300,000 dollars from the sale of hunting
and fishing licences and from fines collected from
\iolators of the laws. Its motto, " Conservation
through Education," is well borne out in a recent
booklet bearing this title, in which the various
activities of the Commission are pictorially and
otherwise portrayed.

^jBE^j^m

CORRESPONDENCE. J

I .*»3 &vSr ^i/»^ ^a? .y^jr.,.

V'liese columvs (ire open to Members to express their views on
geneial toptcs. and for the discussion of matters of interest to
ornithologists. The Editor talies no responsihity for the opinions
expressed bv correspondents. No notice is tnken of anonymous
commnnications.

BREEDING OF TINAMOUS AND THE APTERYX
IN CONFINEMENT.

I notice in a recent publication that the
Tinamou is being bred under artificial conditions
on an estate at Tarrytown, N.Y. , U.S.A. Can
any member inform me if any species of this bird,
or the .Apteryx, has ever been bred under artificial
conditions in this Country? N. Z.

With reference to the Tinamou, Professor
Newton (Diet, of Birds, p. 906) states : " At
least one species of Tinamou has Itrcd not un-
frequently in confinement, and an interesting
account of what would have been a successful
attempt by Mr. John Bateman to naturalize this
species, Rhvnchoius rufcsccns, in England, at
Brightlingsea, in Essex, appeared in The Field
(23rd FeL, T884, and 12th Sept., 1885). The
experiment, unfortunately, failed, owing to the
destruction of the birds by foxes." — [Eu.]

THE NEED OF LOCAL BRANCHES

In wishing the journal of the Society all
success, mav I direct attention to one of its

iS

JOLKNAL OF THE WILD BIRD INXESTK .ATIOX SOCIETY.

objects, viz., the establishment of local branches.
1 rej^ard this as most important, for never was
\hvn- a greater need than at the present time for
such org-anization, if we wish to preserve our
wild birds.

\\'ith(iut exag-geration, I can safely say that
in the district I live we have not a quarter of
the number of birds we had ten years ago. The
Tits, the Wren, the Challinch, the Skylark, the
Song- and Missel-Thrushes, the Robin, the Jay,
the Magpie and the Jackdaw have all decreased.
Of our visitors, the Fieldfare and Redwing are
shot bv the market gardeners, and indiscriminate
egg-collecting has undoubtedly been the cause of
tiie reduction of many other species. On the
other hand, the House-Sparrow and Starling
have both increased.

I sincerely hope that there will be a wide and
readv response to this call, for I feel sure that
local societies could <lci much to educate public
opinion, and ultimately bring' about a very
different state of things. Further, such local
branches would bring students of bird life
together, and so increase the interest of this
fascinating' studv.

A PRArricAL Orxithologis'i.

s^

m

LOCAL BRANCHES.

^

'^^

I welconie most heartily the proposed forma-
tion of a new Society for the purpose of wild
bird investigation, and feel sure that it has a long
and most useful career before it.

For over twentv years I have been a studeiit
of ornitholog'v, or perhaps I should say, the ways
and habits of wild birds, and I have frequently
felt the need of a publication that was interested
in the same, and also the lack of local ornitho-
log'ical societies.

There must be hundreds of bird lo\ ers and
students of wild bird life that have the time to
organize local branches, and I hope, ere long, we
shall at least have one or more in every county in
the United Kingdoni. .Apart from the absorbing
interest of the studv, which such branches would
do much to foster, there is a great and important
work to be done in educating the general public
(in all matters relating to wild birds, and I
sincerelv hope that bv the formation of local
branches, general meetings, and the publication
of the Journal, this Society will take a leading
part in such necessarv propaganda.
A\'ith all good wishes for success.

A Northern .Stl'dext.

One of the objects which the W.B.I.S. seeks
to carry out is the establishment of a network of
local branches throughout the United Kingdom.
.Such a series of clubs would not only have a
great educational value, but they would tend tO'
link together all who are interested in the study
of wild bird life. Moreover, the members, bound
together as definite organizations, would un-
doubtedlv exercise a most beneficial influence
upon all matters pertaining to the subject in their
respective districts.

.\nv two Ordinary Members of the .Society who
are willing to act as Chairman and Honorary
Sccretarv respectively, can, with the sanction of
the Council, call together those interested, and if
ten Ordinary or .Associate Members can be
obtained, the Branch can be formed, weekly or
monthlv meeting's, excursions, etc., arranged,
and work commenced.

The Secretarv will be pleased to forward
nomination forms and further particulars, or to
replv to anv queries, on application. F.nxelopcs
should be marked " Local Branches."

St. Andrews. — Chairman : Prof. D'.Arcv W.
Thompson, C.B., D.Litt., F.R.S. Hon.
.Secretarv : O. .S. Orr, Commercial Bank
House.

.\ \'erv successful inaugural nn-eting was held
in the Council Cliamlier on March 28th. Prof.
l)'Ari\ W. Thompson, h'.R.S., presided, and'
was supported by a large audience. .After point-
ing out the importance of the study of wild birds,
and the unrivalled facilities offeri-d in the sur-
rounding district, the Chairman called upon
Dr. Collinge, who drew- attention to ihc objects
and aims of the -Society, and read a list ol the
local iriembers.

Mr. O. .S. Orr proposed : " That in the opinion
of this nieeting it is desirable that a local branch
of the Wild Bird Investigation Societv be-
founded in St. .Andrews." The Rev. Dr. P. M.
Pla\fair proposed that Prof. l)'Art'\ W.
Thompson be elected chairman, and Mr. O. S,
Orr. honorary secretary.

Mav 8th. — .A well-attended meeting was luld
in the Court Room, Dr. Collinge presiding. The
Honorarv Secretarv read a list of the local mem-

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD IWESTKJATIOX SOCIETY-

19

txTs, ;ui(l announced Iwo excursions. Diflcrcnt
niemliers drew attention to the wanton destruc-
tion of the egg's and nestlings of insectivorous
birds, and after some discussion, General Pur\is
proposed, and Mr. C. Ba\ ne-lNleldruni seconded,
the following resolution — "That the attention of
the Countv Kducational Authorities be called to
the wanton destruction of \\ ild bird life bv school-
boys, in the hope that the Board will bring the
nialtcr under the notice of the teachers in all
their schools, with a \'iew to instruction being
given as to the great benefits these birds confer,
and to persuade the children to aid in conserving
a natural force both beautiful and beneficial to
the country."

June 5th. — The monthly meeting was held in
the Lecture Theatre of the University Natural
llistorv Department. The Honorary Secretary
referred to the visits the Societ\- h;id made
to Strathtyrum , Herony and Tentsmuir, and
hitimated that on the kind invitation of Mr.
William Berry, of Tayport, a visit would be paid
to Morton Lochs on the 12th instant.

Dr. Walter E. Collinge gave a short account
•of the different methods of estimating the stomach
contents of wild birds, emphasising the import-
ance of the \-olumetric method, which was
explained and illustrated. Dr. Collinge empha-
sised the fact that the economic ornithologist
did not for a moment advocate any methods of
extermination, but carefully considered and
wisely administered repressive measures where
a species was too plentiful, and consequently
injurious ; and the strictest protection for all
species that were known to be beneficial. By
kind permission of Professor D'.Arcy W. Thomp-
son, the members had the privilege of inspecting
a number of valuable and beautiful works on
ornitholoiTV.

^stesy

*

<»'^ * ^aM»>90

'^

R

E

V 1 E WS. I

*«»►

«

.,i»^a^ * -eWeS^

A I'kactrai. Handbook of British Bikos.
Edited by H. F. Witherby. Ft. i , pp. xvi-
64, pis. I and 2; Ft. 2, pp. 65-128, pis. 3-5;
Ft. ;;, pp. i2g-2o8, pis. 6 and 7, and text-
figs. London : ^^'itherb^ &• Co. Frice 4s.
net per Fart.
In the Introfluctorv note the Editor states that,
notwithstanding the innumerable books on
Uritish Birds, an uiJ-to-date Handbook contain-

ing reliable inlormation, so arranged as to be
easily accessible, seems to be required." .\
glance at the parts 1-3 of this work at once
evidences the fact that it is not going to be a
collection of pictures, like so many modern books
on birds, but a work of real practical utility, and
when complete it will form a most important one
on our avifauna.

The plan of the book is admirable. First we
have keys to the orders, families and genera
(with illustrations), keys to the species and sub-
species, names of species and sub-species,
synonymy, descriptions (remarkably full) with
details of the periods and extent of the moults,
measurements and structure, characters and
allied forms, field characters, breeding habits,
food, distribution and migrations.

Ft. I commences with the Order Fasseres, and
treats of the Corvidae, Sturnidae, Oriolidae, and
Fringillidae, which is continued in Ft. 2 and Ft.
3, followed by the .Alaudidae and Mortacillidae.

The wonderful amount of information which
the author and his colleagues have compressed
into these pages is astonishing, but they might
have spared us the trinomial nomenclature, and
the system of repeating the specific name of a
species for a variety or sub-species (the identi-
fication is left to the reader's choice), one that is
followed in few other branches of zoology.

The illustrations generally are good, and the
coloured plates, in our opinion, leave nothing
to be desired.

.As an up-to-date handbook, we heartily com-
mend this \aluable and interesting work to all
our readers.

W. E. C.

Birds and the War. By Hugh S. Gladstone.
Fp. xviii + 169, 17 illustrs. London:
.SkefTlngton & Son, Ltd., 1919.

Before we know what effect the late war has
had upon bird life, much careful observation
will be necessary, but it is well to have our
attention directed to the subject. In the pleasant
little volume before us, under such headings as
the Utility and Economy of Birds in the War ;
.Sufferings of Birds; Behaviour of, in the War
Zone ; and Effect of the ^^'ar on Birds, the author
has brought together a mass of most interesting
information, which he presents in a popular and
chatty style.

It is a book that cannot fail to interest even
the most casual, and the seventeen excellent
photgraphs greatly add to its \'alue.

20

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD IXVKSTK iATIOX SOCIETY.

It is sad to think thai so many British bird
lovers ended their, often only commencing,
careers in this terrible tragedy, and a just tribute
is paid to these valient sons who gave their lives
for King and Country. W. \\\

f^

'-trx>''>^

J^

CURRENT LITERATURE.

-#

^cXKo-,

^

Baxter. E\Kr.vx\'., and RixroiT., L. J. — On the
Great Crested Grebe as a Scottish Breeding-
Species. Scot. Nat., 1919, pp. 67-77.

Blaaiw, F. E. — On the Plumage-development of
Xettio}! torqiiatum , PocciJonetta crvihnr-
Jivxchii, and Auds iinduhild. Ibis, 1919
(s. xi), vol. i, pp. 454-456-

Clarke W. Eagle. — A Note on the Identification
of Duck's Eggs. Scot. Nat., 1919, p. 24.

Clarke W. Eagle. — On an Old-time Record of
the Breeding of the White Stork in Scotland.
Ibid., p. 25. Records the nesting on the
Chin'ch i)f .St. Giles, Edinburgh, in the year
1416.

CoLLiNGE, \\'\i,TRK E. — Some Further Investiga-
tions on the Food of Wild Birds. Journ.
Bd. .-\gric., 1919, pp. 1444-1462, 9 figs.

CoLLiXGE, Walter E. — Tihe Plague of Starlings.
National Rev., 1919, pp. 252-257.

CoLLlXGE, Wai.i EK E. — Titmice : their relation
to the Fruit Grower and the Gardener.
Country Life, 1919, pp. .^,42, 343, 2 figs.

CoLLiXGE, \\'\i.ti;r E. — Hawks and Owls in rela-
tion t(i .Agriculture. Contemporary Rev.,
19 '9. PP- 576-580.

Colllxce, \\'alter E. — The Necessity for .State
-Action for the Protection of Wild Birds.
-Avicultural Mag., 1919, pp. 123-129.

CoLLixGE, Walter E. — The Food of the Bull-
finch. Country Life, 1919, pp. 502, 503.

Collinge, AValter E. — The Destruction of Sea
Birds. Ibid., p. 636.

Coi.LiXGE, AA'alter E. — AA'ild Birds and Distaste-
ful Insect Larvae. Nature, 1919, p. 404 and

P- 48.V
DA^•ENl'ORr. H. S. — The Protection of AA'^ild

Birds. The Times, 1919 (Aug. 29), p. 6.
EvAXs, Wiii.iNM. — AVoodcock and the safety of

their young. Scot. Nat., 1919, pp. 51-54-
G.VR.STAXG, A\". — Tlie Tree Pipet's Wing Song.

The Times, 1919 (Mav 8), p. 17.

Gladstone, H. S. — An Ornithologist's l''i<ld
Note-Book. London : Bickers & Son, 1918.

Grace, Geo. — Protective Coloration of Birds and
Eggs. Nature, 1919 (.Aug. 7), p. 446.

GiKNKv, J. H.— -Ornithological Notes from .Nor-
folk. 1918. Brit. Birds, 1919, pp. 242-257.

llwii.AM), ^L\l■D D., AXD PriT, Frances. — The
Selection of Helix iicnioralis by the Song-
'Ihrush {Tiirdits lutisiciis). .\nn. and Mag.
Xat. Hist., 1919 (s. ix), vol. 3, pp. 525-531.

llrxi.EV, J. -S. — Note on the Drumming of Wood-
peckers. Brit. Birds, 19 19, pp. 40, 41.

I.X(;ra.\l C. — Down Trades in Nestling Birds.
Ibid., pp. 78, 79, 3 figs.

Ingram, C. — Notes on the Height at w hich Birds
migrate. Ibis, 1919 (s. xi), vol. i, pp. ■521-

3-5-

I\c;k\-\l C. — Birds that Sing by Night. Country
Life, 1919, p. 280, 3 figs.

Lowe, W. I'.— Control of New .Species and Sub-
species. Ibis, 1919 (s. xi), vol. i, pp. 3^14-
366. A verv timelv warning.

Meinertzhagan, R. — .A preliminar\- .Stud\ nf the-
Relation between Geographical Dislribulion
and Migration, with special reference tci the
Palaearctic Region. Ibis, iqiq {s. xi), vol i,

PP- .v9-."i92-
Mexeciai'x, a. — L'.Ami dc^ Oiscaux. Paris :

PP- i-.vv
Mi LIENS, \V. H.— The RufI'

Brit. Birds, 1919, pp. 1.
Onsi.ow, H. — Wild Birds and Distasteful Insect

Larvae. Nature, 191 9, p. 464.
Pn<E, O. G. -Birdland's Little People. PI. x +

123, 24 pis. London: The Religious Tract

.Societv, 1919. Price 4s. 6d. net.
Pike, O. fi. — The Black-necked Grebe. A nt-w

nesting bird for England. Count r\ Lilc,

1910, pp. 293-297, 9 figs.
RensHaw, fiRAHAM. — Thc Passing of the .Spotted

luuu : A bird that ncA er existed. .Avicultural

Mag., 1919, pp. 67-69, I pi.
.Si'iAi'R, i'lowAKD R. — Wild Birds and Distasteful

Insect Larvae. Nature, 1919, pp. 445, 446.
'i't KNi;i;, E.MMA L. — The Bittern on the Norfolk

Broads. Brit. Birds, iqiq, pp. 5-12, 1 pi.

and 3 text-figs.
Van So.merex, V. G. L. — Colour change in the

Plumage of Birds. .Avicultural Mag., kjkj,

pp. 61, 62.
W'lr.ta ESWORTH, J. — The Heronries of .Somerset.

Proc. Somerset .Arch, and X. H. .Soc, 1918,.

\(il. Ixiv, pp. 68-85.

.\n Earh Record.
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FOOD OF SOME BRITISH WILD BIRDS

A STUDY IN ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY

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A MANUAL OF INJURIOUS INSECTS

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Investigation Society,

Edited by
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Vol. 1.

MARCH, 1920.

No. 2.

ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTIONS:

Is the Magpie an Injurious Bird?

By L. T, Thornton

CONTENTS.

NOTES and NEWS
CORRESPONDENCE :

Wild Birds: Their relation to the Farm
and the Farmer

By Walter E. Gollinge. D Sc, F.L.S.

23

25

The Departmental Committee and the
Bird-Catcher ...

Protection of Plovers Eggs

Birds of the Wye Valley. By Wm. Blake. 29 LOCAL BRANCHES:

Pond Frequenting Birds as Seed Carriers
II. By the Rev. E. Adrian Woodruffe-
Peacock, F.L.S., F.G.S., F.E.S

EDITORIAL

St Andrews

31 REVIEWS:

NOTES :

Increase of Long-tailed Tit.

Walter E. Gollinge;— E. R. G.

Mortality ot Common Terns in 1919.

Dr. H C. Williamson.

The Food of the Brown Owl R. A Leyland

Habits of Brown or Tawny Owl E. Little.

35

36

36
36

Bird Behaviour (Frank Finn)

Birds in Town and Village (W. H Hudson)

Synoptical List of the Acciptres (H. Kirke
Swann)

Animal Life Under Water (Francis Ward)
Bibliography of British Ornithology
(Mullens, Kirke Swann, and Jourdain)

CURRENT LITERATURE

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THE JOURNAL OF THE

WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION SOCIETY.

IS THE MAGPIE AN INJURIOUS BIRD?
Bv L. T. THORNTON.

HAT the Magpie is
a persecuted bird
many will doubt,
for numerous
writers have stated
that it destroys the
eggs of game and
other birds, that it
eats cherries, strips
rows of peas, and
attaci<s Iambs and weakly sheep by plucking
out iheir eves. Personally, I have always
been inclined to regard it as a species doing
more harm than good, though I cannot say I
have credited all the charges that have been
laid to its account.

Some years ago Dr. CoUinge stated,' after
investigating the stomach contents : — " Apart
from the question of game', the magpie is a
bird ihal is beneficial to the agriculturist,
feeding, as ii does, largely upon soil larvae
and beetles, whilst it destroys field mice,
\()les, blackbirds, and wood pigeons."

This o]iinion of our leading authority on
economic ornithology, made me c]uesti()n
whether I was acting in mv own interests by
destroying these birds. A little later I came
across the following passage in Yarrell's
lirilish Hirds : — " The example set by the
thrifty husbandmen of France, Belgium and
Scandinavia shows that the presence of this
bird is not fraught with so much danger to
their li\e stock as its persecutors would make

1 The Food of Some British Wild Birds, 1913, p. 53.

out, for in all these lands, and especially m
Sweden and Norway, it is the tolerated, if not
the cherished, neighbour of every farmer, its
depredations being practically unfelt."

After reading the above paragraph and
noting the food items as scheduled by Dr.
Collinge, I decided to keep a record of the
stomach contents of all the specimens I could
obtain. I have now examined upwards of
sixty from a district where it is destroyed by
both farmers and gamekeepers, and as a
result I am convinced that mv former opinion
is wrtjng, and I fullv agree with Dr.
Collinge's conclusions.

Some few remarks on the stomach contents
may be of interest. In only three cases have
I found remains of the egg-shells of game
birds, but on five occasions I have found
traces of wood-pigeon's eggs, and on four
those of the blackbird. The bulk of the food,
however, has consisted of insects and their
larvae, including the wireworm and Turnip
Dart Moth. In twenty stomachs the Cock-
chafer or its larvae was present. Caterpillars
of surface-feeding species were present in
twenty-three cases, and numerous beetles
which I was unable to identify. Leather-
jackets, the larvae of the Crane Fly, were
found on seven occasions and in large quanti-
ties. The Long-tailed Field Mouse was
present in nine stomachs.

Specimens obtained in an adjacent wood
contained many examples of what we term
Snout-beetles (weevils), and were probably

[J.W.B.I.S., March, 1920, vol. i. No. 2.]

24

JOUUXAI. Ol- THK Wll.n BIRD IN'VESTIGATIOX SOCIETY.

injuriciiis to the trees; in others we found <•'.
few slugs.

From the standpoint of the. farmer tliis bird
is, in mv < pinion, distinctly beneficial. The
benefits it confers more than compensates fc;r
the injury it does to the egcrs of game birds,
and I shall certainly make every endea\'0ur
to ensure its preservation in the future.

The ?ilagpie is a singularly handsome bird,

closel\-, I have never known them to do anv
h;irm.

ID i|uote \'arrell once more — " There can
be no doubt but that, were persecution abated,
the Pie would speedily become as common as
it once was, for it is very prolific, and, since
little comes amiss to its omnix'orous appetite,
food would generallv be plentiful. There
also is reason to think that its restoration to

The Magpie {Piccr pica, I, inn).

it can i^e easily tamed, and it makes a delight-
ful pet. There is no need to cage it up and
so destroy the beauty of its feathers. I ha\e
had two of these birds in my garden for over
two years. Thev are allowed perfect liberty,
and regularly share with the cat and the dog
the household scraps. Both are on the most
familiar terms W'ith all the household, and ^o
far as 1 can say, after watciiing them very

its former abundance might be a decided gain
to the agriculturist, since slugs, snails, insects
,ind worms form, nut of all proportion to any-
thing else, the greater part of its diet, for its
consumption of grain or fruit is trifling, and
it is also a great destroyer of mice and rats —
a fact of which the gamekeeper is seldom
mindful, though never forgetting its assaults
on Icxerets and rabbits."

„?t-i».

JOUKNAI. OF TIIK Wll.n RIRP IW'KSTK iATION" SOCIFTV.

25

WILD BIRDS: THEIR RELATION TO THE FARM AND THE FARMER.
Hv WALTER E. COLLINGE, D.Sc, F.L.S., M.B.O.U.

The University, St. Aiulretts.

Ii can scarcely lia\e escaped observation
thai during tlie past (i\-e or six vears,
tiiroughout tile wliole of tlie country, tliere
lias been an alnindance of insect life that has
not been surpassed for a considerable period.
Farmers and others have been loud in their
complaints of the manv species which have
attacked their crops and depri\-ed tiiem of a
considerable percentage of the yield.

During this same period there is ample
evidence to show that, with one or two excep-
tions, there has been a marked diminution in
the number of our wild birds. We need not
now enter into the \arious causes which have
tended to bring about this disastrous situa-
tion, but that we have fewer insectivorous
birds to-day, there is abundant proof.

These two facts are patent to all who have
followed the reports in the dailv press and our
agricultural and ornithological journals, and
the question naturallv arises whether or not
the former condition is not largelv due to the
latter one, in other words, whether the dearth
of insect-eating birds has not permitted manv
species of injurious insects to increase to such
an extent as to become plagues.

The inter-relationship existing between
wild bird life and insects is an exceedingh'
important subject, and one that as vet we
know far too Httle about, but a studv of the
subject extending over many years warrants
us in stating that where\er the insectivorous
birds of a district or of districts are destroyed,
either purposely or through climatic .and other
causes, there is an accompanying insect oscil-
lation which is not reduced until the balance
of liird life is restored. Moreover, in the
case of certain insects whose numbers remain
relati\ely constant the controlling influence is
largely, if not <'ntirely, due to the uniformity
of the hinl life from vear to vear.

Any factor therefore that tends to modify or
upset the restraining influences of wild birds
in their relationship to injurious insects is
distinctly detrimental to the farm and farmer.

This fact is fully borne out by the careful
and intensi\e investigations that have been
made in countries possessing great agricul-
tural interests, although the subject is one
that has been largely neglected in this
counlrv.

It can scarcely be expected that farmers
should indi^•idually make themselves ac-
C(uaintcd with the feeding habits of our
commoner species of wild birds, but it does
seem strange that the results which havebeen
obtained by many years of careful investiga-
tion should largely remain unknown to them.
The problem of wild bird preservation and
destruction is no new one, and to-day, in
most ci\ilised countries, there are carefully
prei^ared laws governing the preservation
and destruction of the ^'arious species found
therein. Further, in not a few of these
countries the State, by maintaining a scien-
tilic staff in its Department of Agriculture
and .Stale Ornithologists, has been able to
materially add to our knowledge as to the
economic status of the different species, and
has collected \aluable statistics which have
been published and distributed broadcast
'among the farming communit\-, with con-
siderable benefit to both the cultivator and the
nation in general. I'nfortunalelv, we have
no such organization in this countrx'.

Recent work has shown that it is possible to
fix with great accuracy the economic .status
thai any species of wild bird holds, .so that
we are able to say of a particular species :
Ii is fairly plentiful, increasing or decreasing
in mimbers, that the total consumption of the
food of a single bird averages such and such

[J.W.B.I.S., Marcli. 1920, vol. i. .No. 2.]

26

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION SOCIETY.

an amount per year, and of this total bulk a
certain percentage consists of food that is
conferring a direct benefit upon agriculture, a
further percentage is a direct injury, and the
remainder is of a neutral nature.

Such information at once places before the
farmer the exact relationship which exists
between the particular species of bird and his
crops. Thus supposing we state that a cer-
tain species consumes lolbs. of food per 3'ear,
which consists of 50 per cent, of injurious
insects, 5 per cent, of neutral insects, 10 per
cent, of slugs and snails, 13 per cent, of
cereals and cultivated roots, and 20 per cent,
of the seeds of wild grasses, weeds, etc. Such
an analysis enables the farmer to immediately
appreciate the damage this species commits
and the benefits it confers. Of the total bulk
of food, he can now see that it is composed of
the following proportions: —

Injurious Insects
Slugs and Snails

Neutral Insects ..

... 5 lbs.

... o-S „

Beneficial 6 • o

Neutral 2 ■ 8

Grass and Weed Seeds ... 2'o ,,

Cereals and Roots ... 1-8 ,, Injurious i-8

In other words, 6 lbs. of the bird's food is a
direct benefit to the farmer, consisting as it
does of insects and other forms of animal life,
which unless destroyed would quickly ruin
his crops; albs. 8oz. of the food is neutral,
and the actual damage is a loss per bird of
24 ounces of cereals and roots.

Now the question arises: "Is it to ihe
farmer's advantage to lose 24 ounces of
cereals, etc., in' order to destrov 6 pounds of
injurious insects, etc.?" In other words,

Does the destruction of the injurious insects
compensate the farmer for the loss of the
cereals and roots? " Our answer is emphati-
cally Yes, for by no other means could he
remove such a devastating army at anything
like the cost. Indeed, were it not for the
ceaseless activity of the " winged wardens "

23-9%)
3-2 }- Beneficial 28-5%
1-4 )

of the farm, it would be very difficult to reap
a crop at all.

Once having established a definite and
reliable method of estimating the food of a
bird, it is comparatively simple to decide
upon those species that are beneficial and
those which are injurious. Let us examine
the records for two species that have been
subjected to considerable criticism during the
past few years, viz., the Rook and the
Pheasant.

Of the total bulk of food consumed by the
rook per year, 59 per cent, consists of animal
matter and 41 per cent, of vegetable matter.
The several items and their percentages are
as follows : —
Injurious Insects
Slugs
Sparrows, etc.

Cereals ... 35-1 1

Potatoes and Roots ... 13-4 Injurious 52-0%

Beneficial Insects ... 3-5 I

W'ildFruits&W'eedSeeds 4-4 |

Moll. Vegetable matter 6-i :_ Neutral iq-s"/

Neutral Insects ... 4-6 ! ^^eu^rai 195/0

Earthworms ... ... 4-4 )

A little more than half of the total bulk of
the food is an injury to the farmer, and 28.5
per cent, is the compensating balance. Now,
in the case of the rook we know that they are
exceedingly plentiful, their numbers have
rapidly increased of recent years, further, we
know that with the increa.se of the starling
there is a keen struggle for existence between
these two species. The food supply being
insufficient, the rook has taken to feeding
upon cereals and cultivated roots, and the
starlings upon cereals and cultivated fruits.
In all probability, i.e., so long as the rook
and the starling population remain so great,
these items in their respective diets will tend
to increase rather than diminish. We must
therefore place the rook under the category of
injurious birds.

The Pheasant is another bird that has been
accused of doing great harm to standing

[oruwi. (w Till-: wii.n bird iwesticatiox society.

27

crop>. II Wf rxaminc ils tolal hulk of food
consumed in one year we find it is composed
of 37.4 i)er cent, of animal matter antl 62.6
]5er cent, of vegetable malter, of which the
\arious items occin- in the following per-
centages : —

Iniurious Insects ... 23-4% >

Table I. — Showing the lErtCEXTAGES of Aximal and

Vegetable Food and the Pehckntage op the same

WHICH IS Beneficial, Injuriocs, or NsnTEAL.

2-8 \

2-4
ro

Slugs

Cereals
Beneficial Insects

Wild Fruitsct Weed Sards 417
McU. Vegetable matter .. 18-5
Neutral Insects ... i'5 I

Earthworms ... ... 8-7 /

Beneficial 26-2%

- Injurious 3'4%

I

Neutral 70'4°{'i

t)n examinino- these figures it is at once
evideni thai in its relationshi]^ to the farmer
the pheasant is a most beneficial bird, for it
destroys an enormoii.s nimiber of injurious
in.sects and slugs, whilst only 3.4 per cent, of
its food constitutes an injury. As we haye
el.sewhere slated in connection with this
species, " where an excessive number of
birds are reared on a small acreage, in short,
fell- shooting tenants, who are mainly con-
cerned in obtaining their money's worth, then
damage is hound to ensue, for the conditions
are altogether unnatural."

In addition lo die abo\-e-mentioned benefits
which this bird confers, it also offers a supply
of h(ime-gro\\n food of an appreciable yalue.

An investigation of the food and feeding
habiis (if tweniv-two species of our commoner
wild birds, (if which specimens were ex-
aniined during each month of the year and
from all parts of the country, extending now
o\-er fifteen years, shows that the sum total
fjf their acli\ities is distinctly in fa\'our of the
farmer and fruit grower, for the benefits they
confer are almost t',\ ice as great as the injuries
they infiicl (cf. Table 1.), but if we exclude
from this Table such well-known injurious
species as die Rook, tha Starling, the House-
.Sparrow, die Bullfinch, and the Wood
I'igeon, the benefits conferred are o\er four
times as great as the injuries.

Species.

Animal
Food.

Vege-
table
Food.

28..5

Bene-
fici..!.

In-
jurious.

Neutral.

I. Jaclsdaw

7 1 .r>

48.5

23.0

28.5

2. Rook ...

."jM.II

41.0

2S.5

.52.0

19..5

3. Starliiiff

,-)1.0

49.0

3t).5

41.0

22.5

4. House-Sparrow ...

2.5.0

7.5.0

12..50

(;2.74

24.75

5. Chaffinch

2r..o

7.5.0

1C..5

18.0

65.5

(•). Bullfinch

lOO.O

41.0

59.0

7. Yellow - Buntins

29.U

71.0

23..5

11.0

6.5.5

8. Skv-Lark

4fi.O

.54.0

3(i.5

13.0

.50.5

;i. Great Titmouse...

77.U

23.0

6(i.5

10.0

23.5

111. Blue Titmouse ...

79.0

21.0

78.0

10.0

12.0

11. Missel Thrui'h ...

.5.5.0

4.5.0

3.5.5

21.0

43.5

12. Song: Thrush ...

57.0

43.0

37.0

17.0

46.0

13. Fieldfare

.59.0

41.0

41. .5

1.0

57.5

1 4 . Green Woodjiecker

100.0

100.0

1.5. Barn Owl

1 00.0

8.5.0

13.5

Ts

IK. Sparrow Hawk ...

97..5

2.5

45.0

47.0

8.0

17. Kestrel

99.0

1.0

89.5

fi.O

4.5

18. Lapwinff

89.0

11.0

70."

3(1.(1

111. Wood Pijreon ...

3.. 5

91;.. 5

1.5

(;2.0

3(;.5

20. Pheasant

37.4

(;2.n

2(i.2

3.4

7(1.4

21. Partridpre

40..-.

59.5

27.0

0.5

0(;.5

22. Red Grouse

22..5

77. .5

1(1.0

3.5

80.5

Totals and Averau'es...

5.-).. 5

44..5

41.9

21.0

37.1

As has so frequently been emphasised, the
actual injurious wild birds we have in this
country are exceedingly few, though the
harm the.se do is considerable, but this might
be largely counteracted by the institution of
wisely administered repressive measures. Any
attempt, however, at the destruction of wild
birds as a class would be nothing short of a
national calamity, and the more carefully one
studies their feeding habits, the more clearly
does the fact enforce itself that in our avifauna
we have a potent factor for good that is of the
greatest national importance, especially to
the farmer and tho.se who live by the produce
of the land.

If through unwise legislation we permit
beneficial species to be destroyed, we are
indirectly aiding in the propagation of insect
plagues, which already are taking a huge toll
of our home-grown food. Or if, on the other
hand, we allow known injurious species to
increase in numbers, we are again handicap-

28

JOUKXAL OK THE WILD BIRD IWKSTK I ATIOX SOCIKTV.

ping- tlie farmer and fruit orower, and rob-
Ijing the country of a food supply it is greatly
in need of.

Under present ecomomic conditions we can
no longer afford to passively view the very
serious losses that are laid upon agriculture,
horticulture, forestry, and the fisheries. Too
long we have delayed. In the Report of
the Departmental Committee on the Fruit
Industry of Great Britain (1905), it was
pointed out that a great amount of damage
was done to crops by birds, especially bull-
finches, starlings, blackbirds, thrushes, and
sparrows. The Committee stated: "There
can be no doubt that this grievance is well
founded. The destruction of all vermin in
countrv districts, the curtailment of the area
of cultivation and the protection afforded to
wild birds by recent legislation, have upset
the balance of Nature, so to speak, with the
result that they have multiplied to such an
extent as to become a positive pest in some
places." Nearly fourteen years have gone
bv since the issue of this report, during which
time most of the above-mentioned species
have greatlv increased in numbers, and all
that has been done is to sanction an onslaught
upon poor, imoffending Game birds, which
apart from the spnrt they provide, afford a
\aluable source of home-grown food. As
regards the protection of our beneficial species
nothing whatever has been done.

In the interests of agriculture, fruit-grow-
ing, forestry, and the fisheries, it , is surely
time that a subject so intimately connected
with these callings should receive greater
attention. The Governments of other
countries have not thought it foreign to the
interests of their people to spend large sums
of monev upon the maintenance of special
departments, with expert and experienced
investigators concerned only with this sub-
ject, and, so far as we can judge, their outlay
has proved a wise and statesmanlike action
in that it has, as the result of the knowledge
obtained, enabled them to frame just and

simple laws, which have materiallv benefit'.ed
the worker on the land.

It is surely patent that there never was a
period in the history of our country, when all
that fetters agriculture or hinders the produc-
tion of bounteous crops, should, if within the
region of possibilit}", be removed, in order
that we may secure the maximum yield from
the soil and so aid in supporting to the
greatest possible extent the nation cjn home-
grown food. Each year that we neglect this
problem we are permitting matters to grow
worse, and are placing a severe handicap
upon our greatest national industry.

Before anv action is possible it is essential
that we should have indisputable evidence of
the precise economic status that a bird
occupies. Having obtained such, it is fiu'ther
necessary to know whether that particular
species is increasing in numbers, stationary,
or becoming less nimierous, and whether
such conditions are local or general. With
such information it is possible to protect a
species by forbidding the taking of the eggs
and birds. Practically the whole of our
insectivorous species of wild birds should be
so protected. It should, further, be deemed
an offence for any dealer to have in his
possession either the eggs or birds of these
species, and similarly for anyone to expose,
advertise, or offer them for sale.

Where a species is found to be destructive
no protection, for the time being, should be
afforded it.

Provision should be made in any future
legislation to revise or reconsider any Order
at stated periods, say every three years, either
for the whole of the United Kingdom or for
different parts of the country, according xo
the varying conditions.

It is onlv by some such method as outlined
above that we can hope to relieve the food
producers of the nation of a serious loss, and
at the same time lend every encouragement to
those species of birds which are known to be
valuable aids as destroyers of insect pests.

JOLKNAI- OK Tin: WILD BIRD 1\ VICSTIGATION SOCIF.TY.

29

BIRDS OF THE WYE VALLEY.

Bv WILLIAM C. BLAKE.

Herefordshire will compare favourably wilh
anv other inland roiinly as to its avifauna.
It is well wooded, and varied by hills and
dales, while the hedgerows teem wilh
songsters. As in all other counties, most of
the marshland has been drained, which
accounts for the absence of bog-loving and
wading birds. The river Wye, however, and
its trihutarv brooks tempts the visitation ot
manv aquatic species. As everywhere else,
the gamekeeper (under orders') has rendered
almost extinct our larger raptorial species.

From mv earliest years God's feathered
creation has possessed a charm for me, but
not until fifty years ago did I commence to
tabulate records or study th(> subject in a
svstematic manner. I am not a sportsinan
or a collector, of rare species. In many
instances, however, rare species have fallen
to the gun, and been sent to me for identifica-
tion. In some cases the specimens have been
offered to me for •" what I like to give," in
fewer cases they have been presented. Under
these circumstances I have gone to the ex-
pense of their preservation. Several species
have tints been added to our County List, and
a few have found their way to the Hereford
Mtiseum. Mv binocular is the onlv weapon
I level at birds.

Closelv tied to business, mv opportunities
have been none of the best, but I have tried
to make the most of them. INIany have been
the interesting items in mv Wye-side and
woodland walks, conducing to health of body
v.ud delight of mind. These, together with
the observations of others with whom I have
been in touch, ha\e filled a manuscript
\olume, from which I propo.se to draw upon
in these notes or anv future ones.

Ros.s-on-Wye is situated witihn four miles
of tile Ciloucestershire border, and six from
the confines of Monmouthshire. As an

observer of birds of the Ross district, I define
it as a radius of twelve miles around Ross.
My principal observations fall within half
this distance, but as I am writing on the Birds
of the Wye Valley, a few instances from
bevond my district mav find a place in these
contributions. In the present paper I pro-
pose confining mv remarks to some of the
birds of prey.

In October, 1870, a young farmer at
Fownhope (six miles distant) out with his
gun, ob.served a large bird circling above over
the ri\er. His fingers itched to find out what
bird it was, so he brought it down, and pro-
nounced it to be an eagle of some kind. Not
being interested in birds, he exchanged it for
a clog, to a gentleman who had it set up. It
proved to be a beautiful male Osprey. A
female was found by the London taxidermist,
and the two cased up together. In a few
years it pas.sed into my possession, and is
much admired.

About three vears ago a Spotted Eagle was
found alive, but with a broken wing, in
Brinsop Wood, near Hereford. No one
appears to know who shot it. The poor
thing was put out of its pain, and the gentle-
man on wliose estate it occurred had it set up,
and has lent it to the South Kensington
Mu.seum. 1 trust it mav finallv be housed in
the Hereford Museum.

The appearance of Aqitihi fiiscu was an
unlooked for e\"ent. It is just possible that
the thunder of War on the Continent may
have accountetl for its visiting our inliospit-
able countr\-.

An old s[3ortsman reported to me a slate-
coloured, long-legged hawk he had shot near
the Wye in 1873. The taxidermist sent
it home labelled " Hen-LIarrier {Circus
cyauciis), Male." Tiic last of its race in our
localitv, I fear.

3°

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD IXVESTH lATIOX SOCIETY.

The Honev-Biizzard {Pcniis upivoriix) has
visited us from time to time, and that within
recent years. If allowed, it would doubtless
continue to breed here. My first personal
acquaintance with this bird was one shot in
the Queen's Wood, Marcle, about fortv-five
years ago. It was loaned to me for a few
weeks. On examination I could not but
admire the wisdom of its Creator to render it
invulnerable to the stinjjs of wasps and bees.
It is thickly feathered around the eyes, also
down to the base of the beak — regions more
or less bare in other birds of prey.

A second specimen was shown me bv an
old friend, who shot it at Credenhill in the
fifties, and a few years ago I was invited to
inspect one and an egg, obtained about fifty
years ago near Ross.

A pair of Honey Buzzards took up their
abode on tlie Bishopswood Estate (four mile.s
distant) in the spring of 1S93. They had
proceeded with familv matters as far as
making a nest in the second fork of an elm
tree, and depositing two eggs, when the fiat
went forth for their destruction. Tlie perse-
cuted pair were shot on the same day, and the
two eggs were taken subsequently. The
birds were beautifully set up bv my friend,
Chas. Ashdown, of Hereford, and were
retained by the estate owner, while the eggs
fell to the steward. I have a photograph of
the case of birds.

A country squire residing on the banks of
the Wve, shot a Honey Buzzard about four
years ago. Being a magistrate, he atoned for
the offence by having it preserved and pre-
sented it to the Hereford Museum.

In the autumn of U)i6 I was taking a walk-
ing tour witli mv daughter, from Svmonds
Yat to Monmouth. .'\t tea-time we called at
a quiet road side inn. The parlour was
adorned with cases containing a Heron, Owl,
Woodpecker, Moor-Hen, and a Honey-Buz-
zard. I sent for " Boniface " to get a little
light on the last-mentioned bird. " ^'es,"

he said, " I shot 'um all some years ago
round about here." Pointing to the Buzzard,
lie said, " I killed two o' them about twenty
years ago. A lady bought the other and had
him stuffed and sent to the museum at
London." "And what do you call it?" I
asked. "Well," said he, "some of my
customers calls it one thing and some another,
but I calls it a Scotch Eagle " ! I told him
it was a female Honey-Buzzard, and later
sent him labels for all the cases, with the
English and Latin names of each species,
which I understand have since been duly
affixed.

The Common l^uzzard (Biitco buteo) alas
can no longer justify its name. If one
appears at long intervals it is only to be shot
down. An eagle in minature, it has been the
\'ictim of unjust persecution on the part of
gamekeepers and their employers. Rats,
mice, and voles are their favourite food, with
worms, slugs, and an occasional young rabbit.
An old friend of mine and an eminent
botanist told me that when studying the
Flora of Great Doward, near Symonds Yat,
he has seen five Buzzards at once circling in
the air, and has also noticed the Kite (Mihus
milvus) on several occasions. The last of the
Kites from this district are to be fcuind in the
Hereford Museum.

A Buzzard set up antl in mv possession
was trapped on the Levs Estate, Doward,
about fortv vears ago. If I had not spoken
for it, an addition would have been made to
the gamekeeper's museum. .\t intervals,
this bird is still met with in the district.

I was shown a fine pair at the Speech
House, Forest of Dean, trapped, alas, on
their nest ! At Bishopswood it occurred in
1S81.

For the past twelve years I have kept a fine
female Buzzard alive. It was taken from a
nest on the Cornish const. It is quite tame
with me, but timid of strangers. ! keep her
in a spacious aviarv, wherein she can use her

](irKX.\I, OK THE Wir.I) HIUD I\VI=:STI<;.\T1(1\ SOriETV.

winos. Slie permits me lo sti'ok'c her leps
tiown to tile talons with my fingers, and to
brush her cktwn with one of her triil feathers.

I lost her once for an hour, and have to
thank fnc ]3airs of rooks for her recovery.
She flew into the tall elms where they were
nesting. They dislodged her several limes.
I eventuallv found her on a willow tree over
a brook, and could just reach her by the leg.
-She allowed mv near approach, and sub-
mitted to being caught. I think she was
truly grateful to be returned to her aviary.

She repairs a nest with materials provided,
and commences lo sit about the end of
February, Inu has not yet been clever enough
lo lav an egg. I think of treating her with
some Bantam eggs to incubate next spring.

L'nless she is very hungry, she will not
touch a bird, though has often killed an
iin\\ar\- sparrow who has entered her
enclosure.

A writer in the Zoologist of 1895 says, " I
see mention of a Rough-legged Buzzard,
which had been caught in f)ne of those detest-
able pole traps some years ago at Bishops-
wood, near Ross." This, I think, is the
only record for the countv of this species.

I once kept one which had been caught in
the eastern counties. It is a winter visitor,
and is feathered to the toes, hence its name,
lagopus. Some vears ago I acr|uired a speci-
men shot in N'orkshire, set u[\ pouncing on
a young hare. My friend, S. i-. Moseley,
used it for a figure in his book on British
Hints: 'I'lieir Xcsts and Eggs. I disposed of
it recentlv to the Hereford Museum, as they
wanted an example.

{To he continued.)

J.'/

POND FREQUENTING BIRDS AS
SEED CARRIERS.

II.

Bv THK l-;i;v. E. ADRIAN

WOODRUFFE-PEACOCK, F.L.S., F.G.S., F.E.S.

<.jriiyii!f;hiiin Rectory, h'lrtoii-iii-l.iiulscy , Lines.

In our first article on this subject we gave
a list of species found in a certain limited
class of ponds, namely, (i) spring, (2) sipe,
and (3) dew-ponds, also short notes on the
.Mallard or Wild Duck, and the Water- or
Moor-Hen.

It may be demanded of me, " How can vou
prove to demonstration that these birds really
carry the plants or the seeds of those species
}'()U have named in vour paper?" This is a
perfectly fair question, and I will answer it as
fairlv.

There are two ways of demonstrating the
required facts: (1) By seeing the acts of
physical carriage, a thing I ha\'e often done,
both (a) by pure accident, (b) by careful
and prolonged watching, and also (c) by
forcibly driving ducks and water-hens from
ponds by the aid of a dog. (2) There is also
negative demonstration, which in the case of
small, isrjlated, man-made punds is unusually
strong.

As regards the first, I have seen a few
species, Elodca, Lemna, and Potamogeton,
carried naturally to ponds bv birds. For an
instance of (<;) jiure accident. When ni\- late
brother Max and I were lads, one July we
were watching the bird-life at Asiiby Deco}',
while old Tom lacy, the then owner of this
famous water, told us anecdotes regarding its
birtls. As we st(X)d listening, some " out-
lying " Wild Drakes came in to seek the
sei-uritv of the pond, and cjne of them had " a
necklace " of Potamogeton prelongus, one of
the rarest, because deep water species, ol this
part of England. This was the first lime in
my life I had ever seen it, and it was another
llfteen years before I found it growing in

V

32

JOURXAL OF THE WILD BIRD IWESTIGATIOX SOCIETY.

Lincolnshire. It is not only a lake or deep
water species, but a brittle one, which lakc-
divino; ducks often break off in fishing, I am
now told. I can onlv say such a sight is very
rare, Init I have seen {b) many species carried
from ponds to other waters, (i) Tlie easiest
way to demonstrate this is to use a dog when
water-hens or wild ducks have young, when
the dog can be made to understand it is the
old birds and not the young ones he is wanted
to put out of the ponds. I had a trained dog,
but he has gone the way of all good and bad
dogs, I regret to say.

It does not want often doing, for it is cruel
work, as the \\'ater-Hen is especially reluc-
tant to lea\e its young and to forsake its
home-waters. When forced to do so, after
much di\ing and resting under the water to
escape being clri\-en out, I lia\-e seen them
carry awav on their bodies, Lemiui of three
species, Ranuuculcs of two, as well as Chora
•vidgaris and Elodea, also manv seeds in the
autumn montlis, that I could not jjossibly
name during a passing \ ision through a field-
glass. The onlv s]5ecies I am absolutely
certain of was AUsiiui phujUino-dqiKiticc .
The Water-Hen was put oiU b\- mv dog, and
ai"ose from a part of the pond where this plant
was growing. It was marked down at the
exact spot it settled in another pond in the
next field, onlv 25 yards away. From the
water surface of that spot we fished otit its
seeds with a sliell scoup. Alisma was not
then found growing in this pond, vet it A\as
found in the following year, Init did not
flower until the next season.

This series of ponds, for there were three,
were ]Tipe ponds, and all drained int<i one
another; vet the one in which the waler-he'is
and wild ducks rested, had much the longest
list of plants, though they were only divided
by fix'e and twentv-fix^e feiM, and were in three
different fields. The flora of none of them
was exactly alike.

This fact of the sliolulv \-aryino- flora of

3. In the alimentar\'

canal

contiguous ponds, often, as in this case, inter-
draining was the startling fact which in 1874
set me to work at making a special study of
their flora and fauna.

To such an extent have I found seed or
plant carriage going on during the forty-fi\-e
years I have studied this subject (for mv first
pond note is dated i,^ iv. 1874), that I have
made the following simimarv to tabulate all
the means of carriage I know of: —

Tai'.le of Methods of Transport of
Plants and Seeds l.y Birds.

I. — Internal Seed-Carriage (the commonest).

1. In the crop ) The whole range of

2. In the gizzard ) edible seeds.

Onl\- hard ones as

a rule, with
many exceptions.

II. — External Seed-Carriage (a rarer form).

4. In mud, fairh' common.

5. In cla\' balls, very rare.

6. Amid ruffled feathers, rare.

7. B\' mucosit}', not quite so rare.

III. — External Plant or Seed-Carriage (the
rarest).

8. On the back | All rare, but 8 the

9. Round the neck - commonest, and
10. On the feet I 10 the rarest.

On this table I have only space here to say
a few words. Clay balls as a means of car-
riage is the rarest form I have per.sonallv met
with. I have only obtained the seeds of tilth
and pasture species from clay balls supplied
to me by gamekeepers on the uninjured feet
of partridges, or, in still rarer cases, from the
feet of birds which had the misfortune to ha\'e
a foot shot off, as I judged, or taken off by
spring traps. This is all 1 can say here on
ph\-sical means of carriage bv way of proof.

(2) Negati\'e demonstration is just as
potent in convincing a properly trained

JOUUNAI, OF nilK Wlin BIRD INVFSTIG.\Tin\ SOCIIlTY.

33

obser\-er, il' ikiI rin uiilraincd one. For there
are two classes of isolated waters in wliich
practicallv no species of water plants usually
carried bv birds are found : (a) I'onds which
are overstocked with wild-fowl or domestic
ducks, such as decoy waters ami homestead
ponds near farm yards. These invariably
leave such notes in mv diarv as " too
mallardy " or "too domestic-durky," as the
case mav be. (b) There are also, and this is
the reallv important case, isolated ponds,
which for some reason are never visited bv
^lallards or Water-Hens ! \\'hy this is so
I have quite failed to discover after the most
prolonged anal\sis. Such jionds are not
confined to an\- soil, but are found in varvinq'
situations, fairlv near to homesteads and
awa\- from them in more distant pastures.

Within half-a-mile of the table on which I
write these lines is a pond I have watched for
28 seasons. During that period, so far as I
can judge, it has never been visited bv birds
of anv species. I have never seen one or
tlieir tracks on the soil round it or in the mud
below its surface. No water plants have I
ever been able to detect within its area, except
Agrostis alba, which is too often mammal
carried to be of the least value in this case.
\'et in two ponds just over the fence in the
next pasture there is the usual supply of
species found in rarely visilcd ponds.

There is another field pond of the same
uninviting kind two and a half miles away,
but in this parish. Its record, bar Agrostis
alba, was the same, until I detected the Blac!<-
headed Gull \isiting it in igoo.

As thev mav be useful to future workers,
here are the field notes from these jionds for
season 19 17.

" Pond Xo. 3(j (on parish list map). !n
little pasture, S. of Edlington House build-
ings. Soil, Sandy Glacial — Gravel. Never
bird-visited to my knowledge in 26 years,
no traces of wild ducks or water-hens at auA-
lime, (i) Agrnstis alba onlv. 25 v. 1917."

" I'onds Xo. ,^7 and v'"'- In next lower
pasture. Same soil. \'ery rarelv visited bv
fowl, no trace of ducks or water-hens now,
hut I have seen marks of them at rare times.

(1) Agrostis palustris, (2) Ranunculus
rcpens, (3) Glyccria jliiilans, (4) Juncus
glaucus, (5) Carcx hirta. 25 v. 191 7." With
this note added. " All these species are at
time-i carried on the muddv or wet feel of
cattle, but this pond is rarelv visited I know . "

" Pond Xo. 93. On Kimeridge — C"la\' in
pasture S. of Iirandr-Carr House farm build-
ings. L'nvisiled apparently by birds fnr ci
vears, that is, ujj to season 1900, so only
Agrostis alba in it earlier. Since then, fre-
quented bv Black-headed Gulls. A voung
and not breeding bird of igi6 hatching was
on il as I approached it to-day. Yerv rarelv
it has been visited of late by domestic ducks
and geese, but thev have too manv ponds
nearer at hand to come this distance, excei:)t
rarelv. (i) Lcmna minor, (2) Epilobiiim
hirsiitum , (3) Glvccria Ihiilans, (4) Ranu)!t-
culus repcns, (=,) Cardajuinc pratcnsis, (6)
]'cr(iuica bcccabuugn, (7) Juncus glaucus.
(S) Dcschampsia ciK'spilosa, (9) Mvosotis
palustris. The banding round this pond was
characteristic of its ilora. Rv the water 3.
abox'e that 2, abov'e that again S. 5 \-i. i()i7."
These notes are direct from m)' diary, made
on the spot each season, to learn (1) the his-
torv of the changes in man-made ponds, a!ul

(2) the merms of seed carriage. Thev have
no axe to grind, anv more than their recorder
has; he onl\- wants to get at all the facts he
can learn bv analvsis. .All the same, the\-
clearly demonstrate that un\isited ]M)nds do
not contain ihe water plants of my biril-
carriecl list. On the other hand all visited
and frequent ponds do contain more or less
ot them is m\' imi\crsal e\|)i'rience.

in i<SS<) I si)eni weeks in studving the
natiH'al historv of the, at that time, untouched
wide area of Salisburv I'lain. One of ils
most isolated dew-p(mds was x'isited b\- wild

34

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD IXVESTIGATIOX SOCIETY.

ducks, for I saw them drop into it, and dis-
covered its situation by viewing- tlieir flight.
Bv its old water-line was orowing AInpcciiriis
gcniciilatus, quite out of place and miserably
poor on that limv-sandy heath, which was
much more fitted for .1. acqitalis (=fulvus),
another rare duck-carried species, which I
personallv onh' k-now in Lincolnshire in
" duckv '" spots. In the waters of this
hidden dew-pond were: (\) Potamoi^^cton
densus, (2) P. perfoUatus, (p.,) Rauiiucitht.';
chdiictii, (4) ZannichcIIia pcilnslris. I believe,
for I could not reach 2 and,':;, but I took them
bcilh in anotiier dew-pond due south, but
close b}' the village of Everley.

Another dew-pond, which I discn\ered a
few days later, was (juite dried out. There
I found, late in August, that some such series
of plants must ha\e grown in it, for its dried
bed contained C'alluna seed and old leaves,
with the seeds of PotuDUis^cton and those f^f
Ranunculus drouclii, I judged.

It would be very easv for me to wi'ite a
whole series of articles to show how seeds arc
carried tf) ponds, but it would be much wis'-r
of the vounger members of the W'.B.I.S. Us
studv a whole series of ptjnds and to publish
ihe results in this Journal. " When vou
teach vourself vour learning clings," our
phrase sa\'s here. At anv and e^•erv oppor-
tunilv let me beg (hem to do so. [ analyse
the flora of e\-er\- pond I meet with. Often I
ne^'er see manv of tliem again, but new and
confirmator\' facts are often discovered bv
doing so, such as the duck-carriage of Alope-
curus acqualis above, which I have ne\er met
with bv mv regularlv studied ponds. Manv
fads hax'e been demonstrated at casuallv and
once visited ponds, which I ha\'e sought else-
M'here for in sain as vet.

To close with I will name two hybrids of
species which mav ser\e as examples of what
the intensi\'e studv of isolated i^onds mav
demonstraie.

In ni\' list of bird-carried pond species

Alopecurus gcniculatus is found. It is in
20 out of a ion isolated ponds, as a rule, in
N.W. Lincolnshire: but it should be noted in
no great cjuantitv for the most part. As a
result, I suppose, it sometimes hvbridizes
with its near relation .1. prutcnsis , of the
damper parts of pastures, and the cross
A. geneculatus x pratcnsis may be found bv
ponds rarely on rather drier spots than A.
gcniculatus frecpients. This hvbrid plant
being rather larger than its water-loving
mother-parent. This, howe^■er, is not all,
but it set me thinking and narrowly observ-
ing. I discovered that still more rarely, up
abo\-e on the even drier Chalk-Boulder-Clay,
was the other hybrid ^4. pratcnsis x gcnicul-
atus. which coidd be detected at once by Us
glaucous coloration. This of course is foimd
by its mother-parent A. pratcnsis. Both
these hybrids ha\"e arisen from .1. genicu-
latus having been carried to pasture ponds by
ducks in fields where .4. pratoisis grows.

Mv second plant shall be the so-called
variety of Bidcns triparlila, called Integra,
Koch, which is \er\- rarelv carried to the sides
of field ponds bv ducks, I suppose, for I have
not vet fulh' demonstrated the means of
carriage in this case.

I have met with this so-called \arietv bv the
Ri\-er 4niames at Putnev. man\- \-ears ago.
and bv Braford Water, in Lincoln Citv. In
the latter case, if not in the f(.)rmer — for it is
so manv years back, I cannot sav for certain
now, for I ha\e no lield notes made an the
spot — both B. tripartita and B. ccrnua were
present. I noted that this so-called inlegra
h<id tlie pappus bristles not according to the
type, i.e., not two, as the typical B. tripartita
always has, Init three, or even sometimes
four, like B. ccrnua. 4'hinking this form
had been fully studied, and mislead by the
.^rd England Botany description and figure,
I took no notice though mv seed collection
clearly demonstrated the above facts. When,
however, I met with this form by an isolated

jorKVAi. <>i' •nil-: \\]i.r> hiIvD i\\i;sTi(;.\Tic)\ society.

35

pasture pond at Sibbertofl, in Xortliampton-
sliirc, where neither of the so-called types
were present, I carried masses of the seeds
home here to sow them hv a clav [lond, in
similar circimislances of soil and conditions
of moisture. The result was, not one seed
was fertile here in the open, or when I tried
them bv cotton-wool moisture, neither was
one ]ilant (jrown from the thousands shed on
to the botanists' consecrated soil of Sibbertoft.

Surelv this demonstrated to almost cer-
laint\-, what I had long' suspected, that the
so-called integra variety of B. tripartita is
nothing- but the hvbrid B. tripartita x cerniia.
1 tried to convince Mr. Q. C. Druce of this,
and now the ducks have proved it. 1 regret
to sav I taUe more interest in the ecologv of
plants, even the commonest ones, than in
hvbrids even the rarest. Mv minute pond
studies have demonstrated many facts, but
at least this much, that their confined areas
ilo produce hybrids, I beliexe, R. ilrtmctii >-
flnribiiiidus and R. jloribiindiis x dronetii,
but i am not a sufficientiv learned botanist to
say more tlian these forms seem to be seed-
less or barren in producing plants.

]\Iore than plenty remains for other workers
to discoNcr in or round is(_)late(_l ponds, sav,
lor instance, turning to their faima, how
ducks carry fish and molluscs to such limited
areas. I lia\e a liltlr jiroof, liul oiil\- of a
trifling sort as yet. \\'h\- is the imixalve
Plaiinrl)is uaiitileiis, in my experience a pure
])ond slit 11, never found in rivers anil l)ecks y
It is mo\ed from pond to pond, I know, bv
ducks, and must in the same way reach other
waters, but here at least does not sui-\ivo in
them.

The subject of |)ond-sludv is limited, and
yet, after forly-ii\e years, it a]ipears to me
that I have only touched the fringe of it vh
yet. I shall be most happy to help anyone
who cares to make a study of isolateti ponds,
if I am able to do so.

THE JOURNAL OF THE

WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION
SOCIETY.

The Journal is supplied jvee to all Ordinary and Associate
Meiubtts. I\'nn~memt>ers of the Society viay obtain it from the
publishers {posi free) on forwarding subscription of JUs. fid.

All matter intended for public ati<.n should be written on one
side of the paper only. Typed MS. is desitabiC. Unrelated
subjects shoUid be dealt ivith on different sheets. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications. No matter can be
returned unless a stamped and directed envelope is enclosed.

All comviunicalions should be addressed to Dr. W. E. Colliufie,
St. Andrews, Scotland.

I^s^ I «» , jjp 1 M--' ' ^fcj| ^jy.'^yi iw I 'ji I 'j^ I <^ I'

EDITORIAL.

In presenting the second issue of our Journal,
we take the opportunity of thanking the members
and the Press for the support received at their
hands. For the unanimous expression of
approval from the former, and the manv natter-
ing notices given us by the latter, we arc much
indebted.

'Ihrouiihout the country it lias been recognized
that there lies before the Wild Bird Investigation
.Society an enormous field for useful and valuable
work, and it behoves all of our members to each
take his or her share in such. The gratifying
success that has attended the St. Andrews Local
Branch shows what can be done, and we wish to
see other branches as flourishine: and active.

The Report of the Departmental Committee on
the Protection of Wild Birds has called forth a
considerable amount of criticism, and though on
the whole this is in general agreement with t!-e
Committee as regards the majority of their
suggestions, there are a number of points that
require further consideration. Some are loud in
their complaints against the bird-catchers, and we
must confess that the Committee seem to have
looked with far too lenient an eye upon these
people. As Mr. H. S. Davenport points out in
I'hc Times (1919, Aug. 29th), it is recommended
" that all killing or taking of birds in any public
place, highway, byway, common, or waste land,
should be proliihited throughout the year"; vet
a little later in the Report the ConmTittcc

36

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD IN'VESTIGATIOX SOCIETY.

recoi^nize " that the trade of the bird-catcher is
of great antiquity, and having no desire to sec it
interfered with, provided," etc. Where do the
Committee suggest that the votaries of this
ancient and cruel calHng should ply their trade?
If the highways, etc., are closed to them, unless
owners of property are prepared to welcome
them, which is not at all likelv, deliberate tres-
pass is the only course open. There is a very
large and growing opinion that the bird-catcher
is a pernicious pest, and that it is high time that
such a trade should be put an end to.

We are still anxious to see more local branches
formed. There are a large number of members
in different parts of the country who have both
the time and knowledge necessary to make such
branches successful, and yet who hesitate to take
the preliminary steps. We appeal to all such to
come forward and lend a helping hand. The
work is urgent and interesting, and there never
was a time when it was more necessary. In all
our big centres of population, and in all our
country towns, we desire to be represented bv a
local branch. Each will be a centre of influence
and education. Surely for such objects as the
W.B.I.S. stands for we shall not have to appeal
in vain.

INCREASE OF LONG-TAILED TITS

In their valuable paper on the effect of the \\ inter
of 1916-17 on our resident birds (Brit. Birds,
1918, pp. 26-35) Messrs. Jourdain and \\'itherbv
state that the Long-tailed Tit " was apparentlv
almost exterminated, hardly anv being reported
in 1917, but a few pairs evidently survived. . . .
There seems no doubt that quite 80 or 90 per
cent, were killed off, but the wandering habits of
this species in winter will probablv soon lead Ic
the re-colonizing of many ancient haunts."

In Fifeshire we failed to notice any specimens
either during 191 7 or 1918, and only very few-
were seen in the early part of 1919. There was
a marked increase during this latter year, and
during the present winter we have seen quite a
number of flocks of ten or a dozen liirds.

Walter E. Coli.inge.

.As elsewhere, the Long-tailed Tit suffered
severely in Cheshire during the winter of 1916-17,
but I am pleased to say that its numbers are now
gradually increasing. During the last few weeks
and during January I saw a number of flocks in
various parts of tliis countv.-- E. R. G.

Mr. Ernest Biade reports in Cinufrv Life,
Feb. 7th, the re-establishment of this bird " on
the northern border of Exmoor, in the vicinitv of
Minehead and Porlock," where he saw nine or
ten flocks of them during a fortnight's stav ;
" one contained between fifteen and twenty
birds."

MORTALITY OF COMMON TERNS IN 1919.

In 1919 a great mortality occurred among, the
newly hatched Terns. In some cases they lay
dead in the nest, three chicks or one or two
chicks, with one or two eggs. Others lav out
on the turf. It is supposed that the very cold,
wet weather of the early summer brought about
this destruction, but the deaths could only have
occurred through the parent bird deserting their
nests. The weather may have been so incle-
ment that the parent birds could not remain on
their nests, or it may be that they had gone off
for food and had failed to find it expeditiously.—-
H. Chas. Wuttamson, Marine Laboratory,
.\herdeen.

THE FOOD OF THE BROWN OWL.
It has Irequentlv puzzled luv to know what
owls, and particularK' the Brow 11 Owl, feed upon
during liard frostv weather. On the nights of
November iith-i4th the thermometer here
registered o\er thirty degrees of frost, much too
cold one would have thought for field mice to be
about. Xevertheless there were many Brown
Owls about during' this period. On the morning
of the 14th I examined some recently regurgi-
tated pellets, not present on the previous evening,
and found remains of at least six long-tailed
field mice and the lower jaw of a brown rat.— -
Ix. .\. [-IA1, \xD, Cupar, Fife.

HABITS OF BROWN OR TAWNY OWL
For two years a pair of Brown or Taw ny Owls
ha\e nested and reared their young in a hollow-
tree in front of our house. Truer mates never
existed. I particularly watched them last year.
Each sat, side by side, on an apple b-iugh for
three-quarters of an hour. Excepting their
heads, neither nicned a feather. Frogs con-

JOURNAL OI- THK Wll.n BIRD IN VKSTKiATlOX SOCIETY.

37

stilulc a considerable porlion of the food during
the nesting: season ; mice and young sparrows are
also brought to the nest. The frogs are seized
hold of by the hind legs, and last year the whole
familv seemed to be brought up almost entirely
upon this diet. — E. Little, Felstead, Essex.

"In putlilessly destroying the wild birds man has
interfered with the 'balance of nature, and so has
helped the ravaging hordes of insects and gnawing
animals to multiply without adequate check. All
this means that we, the consumers of fruits,
vegetables, and tlie grains, must pay higher prices
for- the food we eat and the clothes we wear.'

— J. E. Pfabody.

THE BREEDING OF THE KING PENGUINE

An occurrence as unique as it is interesting is
recorded in a recent number of Xalurc by Mr.
T. H. Gillespie, who describes the breeding of
the king penguine in the Park of the Zoological
Society of Scotland, Edinburgh. The first egg
laid was broken by the birds, a second was
evidently an unfertile one, but a third was laid
on September ist and successfully hatched on
October 24th. The chick, like the egg, is carried
on the feet of the parent. By placing its head
in the parent's mouth, it was fed at frequent
intervals with semi-digested fish disgorged by
the parent. It is to be hoped that the chick will
be successfullv reared.

BIRDS THAT SING BY NIGHT
In a recent number of CviDitrv Life, Mr. C.
Ingfram discusses the various species of wild
birds that sing bv night. It is generallv assumed
that the nightingale is the onlv British bird that
docs so. Here the habit is undoubtedlv fixed,
but there are other species which become vocal
during the hours of darkness, cither bv accident
or under specially favourable conditions. Mr.
Ingram mentions the reed-warbler, the wood-
lark, and the icterine warbler. To these we can
add the redbreast, which we have frequently
heard breaking into song during the night, and
less frequently the blackcap. In the Zoologist,
1859, p. 6446, Mr. E. H. Rodd recorded an
instance of the redbeast and thrushes being in
full song between i and 2 a.m. on a moonlight
night in January.

BIRD H3USES AND THEIR OCCUPANTS.

Under the above title Mr. P. .\. Taverner, the
(iovernmenl Ornithologist of the Dominion of
Canada, contributes a most useful and practical
article to the Ottawa Naturalist (1919, p- 119).
.•\ list of the birds that can usually be induced to
occupy nesting-boxes is given, and a schedule of
their specific requirements, such as, size of floor,
depth inside, distance of entrance from floor,
diameter of entrance, number of feet from ground
of the house, etc. In Canada the purple martin
is the onlv bird that will occupy a nesting-box
in colonv, and considerable space is devoted to
the details of a house for such. This article will
w ell repay perusal by all interested in attracting
\\ ild birds.

BIRD LIMING IN LOWER EGYPT.

" The protection of migratory birds is now,
both in W'estern Europe and Northern .'\merica,
recognised as a duty that each nation owes to the
other nations of the earth," writes Major S. .S.
Flower, in an introduction to a recent publication
on Bird Liming in Lower Egypt, written b\- Mr.
Lewis Bonhote. It Is quite evident that such a
dutv is not recognised bv the Egyptian nation,
and the sooner the Government teach them to do
so the better.

In his report Mr. Bonhote draws attention to
the cruel and illegal practice of smearing twigs,
rushes, etc., along the coast, with bird lime,
whereby, during the migration season thousands
of insectivorous birds are destroyed daily.
.Amongst the species enumerated are the common
whcatear, whinchat, nightingale, common white-
throat, lesser whitethroat, willow, sedge, reed,
and marsh warblers, chiffchaff, spotted fly-
catcher, hoopoe, and kingfisher.

The author points out that, " .Apart from the
fact that this trade is entirely illegal, and aiso
apart from its economic aspect, the trade itself
involves extreme cruelty to the unfortunate
captives : firstly, they may be left struggling on
the slick for hours, though this is not usual ;
then they arc removed from the stick, and thrir
'itniifis or tails, if covered with lime, ;- uglily
pulled out. For the next twenty minutes or so
they are carried about by the legs in bunches of
half-a-dozen or more, and finally put into a dark
basket, often overcrowded, large and small with-
out .-my discrimination. One does not need to
be a sentimentalist to be horrified by such a
siglit, and I feel sure that if the head authorities

38

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION .SOCIETY.

knew and realized what was goinj^- on they would
lake immediate steps to have the trade stopped."
Personally, we feel dubious about the inmiedi-
ate steps, but after Mr. Bonhote's report, which
we note was made in 1916, the authorities can
no longer plead ignorance of the facts.

SMALL BIRDS DESTROYED BY SPARROW HAA/KS.

A correspondent forwards to us some recent
counts that he has made of small birds found in
the nests of sparrow hawks. The largest num-
ber met with is as follows : 7 sky-larks, 3
chaflinches, 2 house-sparrows, 4 hedge accentors,
and 4 linnets. Some years ago Mr. Adam
Clcghorn recorded that, at Marcus, Forfar, on
lune 23rd, 1887, he counted 47 freshly-killed
ijirds in a nest, viz. : i young pheasant, 6 black-
birds, 4 sparrows, 5 robins, 5 chatlinches, 6
thrushes, 4 linnets, 7 tits of various kinds, 2
wrens, 2 yellow-hammers, 2 hedge accentors, and
3 larks. Both young and old birds were amongst
tiiesc, with the feathers partly plucked off, but
few of them touched in anv other way.

«igii*i.{« .'s.s?te«' ■■g, ^ * fe i:.Af;^ rz- ^s^ %:-'•* •**

CORRESPONDENCE.

.»'.ii '^ ;><.«v'?A.VSiVi>. IW

These columns are open to Members to express their viezvs on
general top-cs, and fay the discussion of matters of interest to
ornithologists. The Editor takes no responsihitv for the opinions
expressed bv correspondents. No notice is taken of anonymous
communications.

THE DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE AND THE
BIRD-CATCHER,

.Sir, — From lime ininicmorial the bird-catcher
has been an object of scorn and disgust to most
people who are interested in wild birds. It is
therefore with considerable amazement that 1
read the following words in the Report recently
issued : — " That the trade of bird-catcher is of
great antiquity, and having no desire to see it
interfered with," etc. I cannot believe that this
view expresses the opinion of ornithologists, bird
lovers, or the general public. Personally I wish
to see the trade stopped, for apart from the
cruelty connected with if, I fail to see what right
these men have to rob the public of some of the
most beautiful objects of nature, and I sincerely
hope that the members of the W.B.I.S. will
raise their voices and give expression to their
views in no uncertain language.

M. B. O. V.

PROrECTION OF PLOVER'S EGGS.

Sir, — The treatment this subject is receiying
from the authorities is typical of any attempt by
the Board of .Agriculture at useful ornithology.

The Committee set up in 1913 have at last
published their report, and they rightly recom-
mend the question of the protection of plovers'
eggs to special consideration, and suggest that
they should be protected after the i5lh of .April in
each year.

.After the publication of this report, the Food
Controller issues an order fixing the maximum
price of all eggs except plovers and gulls. .All
other small eggs are fixed at 3s. a dozen maxi-
mum retail. By not fixing- a maximum price for
plovers' eggs the Food Controller allows the
shopkeeper to make a larger profit by the selling
of these than any other egg, and this cannot have
any other effect than to directly encourage the
collection and sale of plovers' eggs. This, so
far, has been the only outcome of the recom-
mendations of a Committee wliich has sat, off and
on, for five years.

The suggestion that the eggs of the plover may
be taken before .April 15th seems to lay the whole
object of the recommendation open to defeat, as
there is nothing to stop a shopkeeper from disj
playing in his shop freshly taken eggs after that
date and declaring they have been taken before
the 15th and kept in cold storage. If the egg
of the plover is not to be wholly protected, the
recommendation, to he really effective, should
have been " that the eggs of the plover are not
to be collected, offered for sale in a shop, i^r
served in a public restaurant after the i5tli of
-April in each vear. "

H. DoLGL.AS Bessemer.

Q^ — — — -^-Tisr-' — -- — . |vn

Z LOCAL BRANCHES. X

(j/3 ' ■^— tzi — . . . cvb

One of the objects which the W.B.I.S. seeks
to carrv out is the establishment of a network of
local branches throughout the L'nited Kingdom.
.Such a series of clubs would not only have a
great educational value, but they would tend to
link together all who are interested in the study
of w ild bird life. Moreover, the members, bound
together as definite organizations, would un-
doubtedly exercise a most beneficial influence
upon all matters pertaining to the subject in their
respective districts.

JOURXAL OF Tlir: WILD BIRD I.WESTIGATIOX SOCIKTY.

39

Any two Ordinary Members of the Society who
are willing to act as Chairman and Honorary
Secretary respectively, can,' with the sanction of
the Council, call together those interested, and if
ten Ordinary or Associate Members can be
obtained, the Branch can be formed, weekly or
monthly meetings, excursions, etc.,- arranged,
and work commenced.

The Secretary will be pleased to forward
nomination forms and further particulars, or tf)
reply to any queries, on application. Envelopes
should be marked "Local Branches."

St. Andrews. — Chairman : Prof. D'.Arcv W.
Thompson, C.B., D.Litt., F.R.S. ' Hon.
Secretary : O. S. Orr, Commercial Bank
House.

October i6th. — .A large audience assembled to
hear Miss L. j. Rintoul's lecture on " Some
.Aspects of Bird Migration," in St. Leonards
School Hall, Miss E. V. Baxter worked the
lantern, and ably illustrated the lecturer's
remarks with a series of beautiful and interesting
slides. .Miss Rintoul dealt with the partial
migrants, the bird visitors of the Eden estuarv,
and her own ,-uid Miss Baxter's experiences
whilst carrying on their investigations on the
Isle of Mav. At the close of the lecture, the
Rev. Dr. Playfair proposed a vote of thanks.

Xovember 20th. — Mr. William Bcrrx , B.A..
LL.B., gave an illustrated lectin-e on " Wild Bird
Migration," in the Christian Institute. There was
a large and interested audience. Dr. CoUinge pre-
sided, and introduced the lecturer as a Mell-known
ornithologist and student of bird life. Mr. Berrv
said the earliest book which referred to bird migra-
tion was the Book of Job, which went Ijack about
4,000 vears, and in the Book of Jeremiah there
was also a reference to the subject. Outside
these two references, there was not a single
writer who even . approximated to accurate
observation of this feature of bird life till quite
recent times. .'\ristotle thought that the birds
went into hiding during the cold weather, and
had no idea that they migrated to other lands.
Pliny, the naturalist, held the same views as
Aristotle. Centuries afterwards a Swedish .Arch-
bishop propounded a similar theory, and wrote
that swallows hibernated in the sea during the
winter, and that fishermen got large numbers of
the birds in their nets. Buffon, who was a
naturalist who did not take things for granted,
tried the experiment of putting a number (.f
swallows under water, and found that they died

in a few minutes ! It was only in modern times
that the migration of birds had been studied with
scientific accuracy, and while much had been
learned about the phenomenon, there was still a
great deal to discover. The principal stream of
migration with the approach of winter was from
the North of Europe southwards to lands at the
other side of the Equator, and there was also a
westward stream across Europe to the British
Isles. The migratory instinct could not easily
be explained. It was not a scarcity of food that
caused the birds to leave in every case. This
vear we had a fly plague after the swallows had
left. The voung birds left us for their new
quarters when thev were six or eight weeks old,
and always preceded the 'old birds. How' these
young birds found their way to distant lands was
a complete mystery. Birds when migrating flew
at a great height, and observations taken from
aeroplanes had shed much light on the subject.
Lapwings travelled at a height of from 2,000 to
10, ODD feet high, geese and ducks went higher,
and eagles had been observed at 15,000 feet.
The weather conditions determined when the
birds would start on their long journeys, and a
halt was often made when bad weather was
encountered. There were verv few British birds
that did not migrate. The blackbird that built
its nest in our gardens was not the bird that ate
the fruit in the autumn, for it had migrated bv
that time, and it \\ as a \isitor from the Continent
that was the depradator. Gardeners were not,
therefore, doing- anything to save their fruit
crops by destrovinsT the nests of blackbirds.
Plovers and woodcocks were verv valuable birds
to agriculture, and should be protected. Gulls
had been accused of eating erain, but investiga-
tion showed that they did this to a verv small
extent. These birds also rendered a good ser-
vice to the farmer. On the call of Dr. Collinge,
a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Berry
for his interesting" lecture.

r

^

R E V I E W5,

li

Bird Behwioir, Psuhic.m. and Phvsioi.ogical.

By Frank Finn. Pp. x + t^^t,, and 43 figs.

London: Hutchinson &• Co. [tqiq]. Price

7s. 6d. net.
There is an endless variety of books on birds;
some arc little more than collections of photo-

40

JCURNAI. OF THE WILD BIRD IWESTICJATIOX SOCIETY.

PEREGRINE Fat.CON (Falco peregri}iiis. Tiinst.).

Showing the strongest development of the hooked and

toothed bill of,.i bird of pre\'.

Sl'OONIUl.I, [Vlatalea leucorodia. Linn. I.
The Spoonbill feeds by sweeping its bill to and fro

Merganser [Mirgus serrator. Linn.).
Duck type of bill modified for catching fish, the jaivs
being narrow, with hornv teeth.

AVOCKT iRecinvirostra avocetta, Linn.).

.'Mtliiiuyh tile bill is so different, the Avocet feeds much

like the Spoonbill.

Heron [ArcUa chieiea, Linn.).

Showing the spear-like type of bill conlnll)ne^^t innong

fishing birds.

Pt'FFIN iFratercttla arctica, I. A.

The huge size of the bill is due to a horny mask, which

is shed after breedin.g

SOME TYPES OF BIRD'S BILLS f l-ioiii Ft mis - Bi id BvJuiviuii i"J.

JdLKXAI, OK THE Will) I'.IRO IWKSTK lATION SCHIETY.

54raphs, others arc compilations of varying value,
whilst others cmbodv careful observations of
great value, but for all there seems to be a public
reaclv to buv.

hand information, and the author has brought
together such a wonderful wealth of material that
cannot fail to interest. Whether we turn to his
account of the various methods of locomotion, the

\'orXC. HOAT/.IN.

A lialf-fledged specimen, showing its niethnd of c1inil)iiij>; with bill,

wings, and feet. (From Finn's ''Bird Behaviour." j

Of recent bird books we have seen none
embodying so much that appealed to the lover
and student of the ways and habits of birds as
the volume now before us. Here we have lirsl-

nulrllion and manipulation of food, tlie methods
of feeding the young, the different modes 'f
feather-development, nest-making, types of nests,
migration, or to the senses and emotions of birds,

42

JOURNAL. OF

TUF, WILD BIRD l.W'ESTIGATIOX SOCIETY.

bird language, special instincts, or physiological
peculiarities, we find the same richness of illustra-
tion, and so many details as the result of the
author's own observations, that one has to pause
awhile before continuing; this fascinating" story
of the ways and doings of wild birds.

The account of the nestling" Hoatzin makes us
wish for more, indeed, there is scarcely a page in
the book which might not be enlarged to a
chapter.

The series of excellent photographs add to the
interest of a work which will be widely read and
enjoyed by all students of bird life.

The omission of a date on the title-page is an
unfortunate oversight.

With the author's plea for the importation, of
exotic birds into this country, we certainly do not
agree. Mr. Hudson says " nothing is to be
feared" from such a policy, but fortunately he
is not an authority on this matter, and does not
seem to be acquainted with the happenings in
other countries. Apart from a few species of
game birds, the introduction of non-indigenous
wild birds has in practically all cases led to serious
results. The introduction of the house-sparrow
into America, and the starling and skylark into
.'\ustralia, has proved most injurious, whilst
alreadv there are manv who are of opinion that
the little owl in this country is becoming a very
.serious pest; and vet, in spite of these and many

Birds in Town ,\nd Village. By ^^^ H.

Hudson. Pp. ix + 274, and 8 cold. pis.

London : J. M. Dent iK: Sons, Ltd. igig.

Price los. 6d. net.
The author of this work writes with a charm
and beautv of style which is decidedly rare. His
writings always afford us delight, both in their
simplicity and beauty and in the deep insight
they present to the reader of the ways and doings
of bird life.

Birds in a ]'illa!;c, first published in 1893, is
more delightful than ever in its revised and latest
form, and fully equal to any of the authors work.

other cases, .Mr. Hudson thinks we liave nothing
to fear.

The house-sparrow " has his good points " we
are informed, but unfortunately they are not
enumerated. .After all that has been published
on this bird, and the long and careful inquiries
that have been made as to its food and habits,
we fear Mr. Hudson's plea will fall on deaf ears,
for it is a pest second only to the brown rat, and
the sooner this fact is appreciated the better it
will be for our country and \\ ild bird life in
general.

The jackdaw, we are told, is an increasing

J<JUKN.\I. OK Till-: WILD BIRD IWKSTK ;.\T10N SOCIRTV.

43

species, and " is certainly not a respectable bird,
like the starling." We must confess our sur-
prise at such a statement, for all recent investi-
gation goes to prove that in spite of the injuries
the jackdaw inflicts, it does an enormous amount
of good, whereas the starling is a veritable
plague throughout the land. However, we do
not tiiink the readers of this delightful hook will
accept its author as an authoritv on economic
ornithology, much as thev mav appreciate the
charm of his story of the Birds in a Village.

The illustrations are pretty, but they leave
much to be desired.

lias helped to establish some and to more clearly
set forth the systematic position of others, his
efforts will not have been in vain.

It is always easy to criticise the shortcomings
of a specialist, for one is so apt to overlook the
difficulties that present themselves — how fre-
quently one opinion seems equally as good as
another, and how at times it is almost impossible
to decide upon the va!idit\- of a species, or to be
sure of a type — therefore, whilst we forbear to
pass any comment on these points, we should
have been grateful for more detailed diagnostic
characters and fuller bibliographical references.

Lesser i;l.\ck-bacicki> (.li.l.

A Synoptical Llst oi- the .Accipitres (Diurnal
Birds of Prey). By H. Kirke Swann. Pt. I,
pp. 1-38; Pt. II, pp. 39-74; Pt. Ill, pp. 75-
114. London : John ^^'heldon & Co. igig-20.
Price 4s. per part.

To workers in systematic ornithologv, this
work should prove most useful, for it is now
nearly half a century since Bowdler Sharp's
revision appeared in Volume I of the Catalogue
cf Birds. Since that date numerous changes
have been made in the nomenclature and many
new species described.

That there will be considerable difference cf
opinion as to many of the generic titles adopted
in this work, is almost certain, but if the author

Only those who have experience in work cf
this kind know how extremely laborious it is, and
systematists are greatly indebted to Mr. Kirke
Swann for the care and pains he has expended
upon the present parts.

Anl\l\l Like under \\'ater. By Francis Ward.
Pp. X + 1 78, with 5 colour and 48 half-tone
plates. London: Cassell & Co., Ltd. 1919.
Price gs. net.

That Dr. Ward has written a most interesting
work few will denv, for he has opened up to us a
world of life that has hitherto been almost a
sealed book ; but he has done more than this, for
he has considcrahlv added to our knowledgre of

44

JCiLKNAl. 01-' THE WLI.I) BIKD l.W T.STK iATlON SOCIETY.

the ways and habits of fishes, birds, and mammals
beneath the water. Few can read the chapter on
the Otter and the Seal without reahzing that the
author has provided a new a\enue, an orit;inal

Dr. Ward estimates, that a bird weighing 6 to 8
pounds will consume at least 15 pounds weight
of lish per day ; sonic authorities place the amount
even higlier. Moreover, an extraordinary large

KiNi.l'iSHER : Kepohc ;ilttr a .Me: 1.
(From Wttrd s '* A'ii'iial Lift- under Wa'er." }

Standpoint, from which oiu' future observations
must be made.

The chapter on the Cormorant \\ill appeal to
those specially interested in birds. It is a i)i rd
that ci-.nsumes an enormous number of fish.

amount can be taki'n at one lime, thus he men-
tions a bird taking fifty herrings fed to it. How-
does this bird manage to catch this large amount
of fish? Dr. Ward suggests that as the cor-
morant races through the water, tlie " fiash.

JOURNAL ')|- TI!!-: \VlI.:i HIRO INVESTIllATJON S( :CIi: IV.

45

Irom its ylossy plumniagc resembles ihc turning
movements of shoalingf fish, and thus .cod,
pnllack, etc., are attracted to their destruction.
When the fish sees the " flash " it suddenly
turns, and, in turn, fla.shes. The bird is thus
ab!e to detect the fish and a chase ensues, the
ish sij^nalling- its course as it turns in its
ndeavour to escape.

Dr. Ward i^ives some very interesting- statistics
A ith reference to the food of the Heron. He has
loted that a parent bird will return to the nest
.\ ith food eleven times within two hours. From
careful observations of the amount of food fishes
taken to the young in a heronry consisting of fiftv
nests, he estimates that the voune and old birds

until this information is forthcoming do we
think it is possible to arrive at any reliable con-
clusion respecting the economic status of the
different species. Finally, we must not lose
sight of the fact that many of our ablest fishery
investigators hold the view that our fish supply
is inexhaustible, and what man or birds destroy
is insignificant.

W'e read with much interest the account of the
Kingfisher. On trout waters, where minnows
are plentiful, it does litlle harm, for the latter are
easier to catch than trout fry, an observation that
is fully borne out by our own work on the feeding
habits of this beautiful bird. On fish hatcheries,

Kmufislier lioldiiii; lliree-iiicli Rainbow Tiuut in its bill.

consumed 45 tons of fish during the months May,
June, July and .August.

A considerable portion of the book is de\oted to
the vexed question as tj whether our commoner
sea birds are injurious. Dr. Ward thinks that
they are, but in order to arrive at a satisfactory
conclusion we think much more thorough investi-
gation is necessary. A larger number of birds,
collected from various districts, and during each
month of the year must be examined. Volumetric
analyses of the stomach, etc., contents must be
inade, and the percentages of the different food
items set forth. Moreover, we must know what
the percentages are as a whole, for different dis-
tricts, and at different seasons of the vear. Xot

however. Dr. W^ard states, this bird, like ;ii ■
dabchick, can do an immense amount of damage.

We might continue' to quote many other strik-
ing observations, Init space forbids; sullicient,
however, has been said to sliow that Dr. \\'ard
has written a book full of first-hand knowledge,
and one which cannot fail to attract a wide circle
of readers, for all who are interested in the ways
of living animals will find a fresh stimulus in
these pages, and their interest quickened in the
study of animal life.

The illustrations, of which there are many,
greatly add to the \alue of the work. Through
the kindness of the publishers we are able to
icproduce a few of these.

46

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION SOCIETY.

A General Bibliography of British Ornith-
ology from the earliest times to the end of
1918. By W. H. Mullens, H. Kirke Swann,
and the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain. Pt. i,
pp. 1-96; Pt. 2, pp. 97-192. London:
Witherby & Co. 1919-20. Price 6s. net
per Part.

Useful as it was in its day (1880), the Ornitho-
logical Bibliography (pt. iv.) of Coues contains
many omissions and errors, whilst the absence of
any svstem of classification makes it very trouble-
some to refer to. In the intervening forty years
a voluminous literature has appeared dealing
with our British wild birds, and all ornithologists
who have had to search through scientific
journals and periodical literature are well aware
of the time and labour such work entails. We
therefore extend a hearty welcome to the present
Bibliography.

There are hundreds of workers who desire to
learn what has been written on their local
avifauna, be it a country village, town, dis-
trict, or county, and, thanks to the authors of
this work, thev can now turn to any county in the
British Isles and find complete references from
the earliest times to the end nf 1918.

The mere mechanical labour of compilation
must have been no slight task, whilst the method
of classification and presentation has involved an
amount of thought and \Vork of no mean order.

After a most careful scrutiny of the parts
before us, we have no hesitation in stating that
this w ork will prove one of the most complete
and useful ever published, invaluable to all who
are interested in the geographical distribution of
British birds, and one that should find a place in
the librarv of everv ornithologist in the country.

Nothing that care and foresight could provide
have been witheld to make this a bibliography of
a monumental character, and we extend to its
authors our heartiest congratulations on the pro-
duction of a work admirable in conception,
carefullv planned, and well executed. We have
only one adverse criticism — the paper on which
the work is printed is abominable.

BoNHOTE, J. Lewls. — Bird Liming in Lower
Egypt. Gov. Press, Cairo, 1919. Zool.
Service, Pub. No. 28, pp. 1-9.

BicKERTON, W. — The Oyster-Catcher or Sea-Pie.
Country Life, 1919, pp. 484-487, 11 figs.

BoLAM, George. — A Migration of Ravens.

Ibid., 1920, p. 126.
BiTLER, A. G. — Magpie Moth larvae {Abraxas

grossulariata) as Bird Food. Avicultural

Mag., 1919, p. 203.
Chubb, E. C. — A Skeleton of the Dodo {Didus

ineptus). Ann. Durban Mus., 1919, vol. ii,

pp. 97-99, pi. xvii and i fig.
Collinge, Walter E. — The Common Tern or

Sea Swallow. Country Life, 1919, pp. 372,

373-
Collinge, Walter E. — Pheasants and Acclima-
tisation. . Ibid. (Oct. 18), p. Ixxxii.

Collinge, Walter E. — The Nightjar. Ibid.,
pp. 709, 710, I fig.

Collinge, Walter E. — The Food of the Night-
jar (Capriwulgus europacus, Linne). Journ.
Minis, Agric. , 1920, pp. 992-995, i fig.

Dewar, J. M. — The Oystercatcher's Progress
towards Maturitv. Brit. Birds, 1920, pp.
207-213.

Fowler, S. S. — On the Need for Protection of
Birds in Egvpt. Gov. Press, Cairo, 1919,
Zool. Service, Pub. No. 28, pp. i, ii.

Friedlaender, \'. H. — Some Entertaining Blue-
Tits. Country Life, 1919, p. 710.

Gillespie, T. H. — The Breeding of the King
Penguin. Nature, 1919, p. 314.

Gillespie, T. H. — How the Baby King Penguin
was Born and Bred. Country Life, 1920,
pp. 5-9, 18 figs.

Greatorex, Clifford \\'. — The Black-winged
Stilt in Hampshire. Ibid. (Feb. 7th),
p. Iviii.

Horsfield, H. K. — Migration of the Golden-
Crested Wren. Ibid., 1919, p. 645.

Ingram, G. C. S. — The Nesting Habits of the
Merlin in South Glamorganshire. Brit.
Birds, 1920, pp. 202-206, 3 figs.

Knight, C. W. R. — The Great Spotted Wood-
pecker, Country Life, 1919, pp. 796-799,
7 figs.

Knight, C. W. R. — Modern Falconry. 111.
Sport, and Dram. News, 1919, pp. 582, 583,
6 figs.

OwE.N, J. H. — .Some Habits of the Sparrow
Hawk. Brit. Birds, 1919, pp. 1 14-124,
4 figs.

JOURNAL OF THK WILD HIIU) IN \ i;S IK I A HON SOCIKTY.

47

IvoBiNsON, H. W. — The Departure of the Grey
Geese. Country Life, 1919, p. 487.

IvoBiNSON, H. L. — The Song of the Swan and the
Haunted Loch. Ibid., p. 778.

Iaverner, p. a. — Bird-Houses and their Occu-
pants. Ottawa Nat., 1919, pp. i 19-126,
I pi. and text-figs.

I A\ Ki^NKK, p. A. — The Birds of the Red Deer
River, Alberta. The Auk, 1919, pp. 1-21 ;
248-265, pi. i-iv.

^
h^

•-^(S^ - '-&!=='

NOTICES to MEMBERS.

%

t)ur printers advise us of a further advance in
wages, which means an increase in the cost of
the production of the JournaL We look to our
members to help us by inducing all who are
interested in wild birds to become members of
the Society; by their donations; and by founding
further local branches.

It is no sentimental, ill-considered scheme that
we have set out to accomplish. To save the
birds we must foster a love for them, and know
something about them, and the Journal is going
to plav no small part in this very necessary and
important work.

We have members in no less than thirty-three
counties of Great Britain, and in each of these,
and the larger towns, we wish to see a local
branch organized, and the time to commence
such is now.

NEW MEMBERS.
We welcome the following new members : —
Ordinary : Mrs. Scott Lang, Misses E. V.
Baxter and L. J. Rintoul, Mrs. G. F. Stout,
Messrs. C. Nicholson, W. W. Parish, P. G. Pye,
Fred S. Beveridge, and .-Arthur G. Baker. Asso-
ciate : Messrs. .Alexander Cuthbertson and J. .A.
Lindsay.

FORMATION EXPENSES.
The response to our appeal is most gratifving.
riif following donations have been received :—

£ s. d.
1 he St. .Andrews Branch (Per

O. S. Orr, Esq.)
W'm. Blake, Esq. .
Linnaeus Greening, Esq.
j. H. Gurney, Esq.
L. A. L. King, Esq.

• 5

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W. W. Parish, Esq.
Dr. F. G. Penrose
William Rennie, Esq.
Miss A. H. Walker
Dr. Francis Ward
Dr. W. E. Colhnge

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Society's warmest thanks. The outstanding
balance is now reduced to £?> 15s. 7d.

THE JOURNAL FUND.
A live and active Journal in the interests of
wild birds was never more needed than at the
present time, and to all the following donors we
are greatly indebted for the assistance they have
so generously given.

£ s. d.

The St. Andrews Branch (Per

O. S. Orr, Esq.) . .500

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Johnson Wilkinson, Esq. .110

" The pleasure derived from observing birds,
and becoming familiar with their plumage, their
notes, and, above all, their habits, is never end-
ing ; and the habits and food of the every-day
birds might with advantage be taught to the chil-
dren in more of our village schools." — Cecil H.
Hooper.

" A growing appreciation of the aesthetic and
educational value of birds has sent many cultured
folk to the woods, fields, and shores. People are
turning towards nature study, and the observation
of birds in the field is one of the most popular
manifestations of an increased and abiding
interest in nature." — E. H. Forbush, State Orni-
thologist, Massachusetts, U.S. .A.

" By gardeners every Titmouse is generally
regarded as an enemy, for it is supposed to do
infinite damage to the buds of fruit-trees and
bushes; but the accusation is u holly false, for the
buds destroyed are always found to be those to
which a grub — the birds real object — has got
access, so that there can be little doubt that the
Titmouse is a great benefactor to the horticul-
turist, and hardly ever more so than when the
careless spectator of its deeds is supposing it to
be bent on mischief." — .Alfred Newtox.

48 JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION SOCIETY.

EXAMPLE IS BETTER THAN PRECEPT.

Will you not • act together and co-operate with us in endeavouring
to protect and preserve our species of wild birds ?

The Wild Bird Investigation Society seeks —

(1) To further the protection of all beneficial and non-injurious wild
birds, and the repression of really injurious species ;

(2) To influence and educate public opinion as to the destructiveness
or usefulness of wild birds to agriculture, forestry, the fisheries, etc.;

(3) To discourage egg and bird collecting, except under proper guidance,
or for scientific purposes ;

(4) To advocate the improvement and modification of existing Laws
relating to wild birds, and the establishment of bird sanctuaries, under
efficient control ;

(5) To establish local branches throughout the United Kingdom; and

(6) Generally to promote the study and advance the science of
Ornithology in all its aspects.

Anyone, anywhere, who in any way can, will, or wishes to aid thi^
good cause, is requested to communicate with Dr. W. E. Collinge, The
Wild Bird Investigation Society, St. Andrews, Scotland.

H. Buckley.
i3wans and Cygntts on the Nuifolk Broads.

DULAU & COMPANY, LTD.

THE

FOOD OF SOME BRITISH WILD BIRDS

A STUDY IN ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY

By WALTER E. COLLI NGE, M.Sc, F.L.S.

8vo. Cloth f<ilt. Pp.vii. + }09 Price 4f.net.

The .4;(A\ — •' All in all this is the best handbook of the food of British Birds in existence and
should be in the hands of everyone who desires reliable information on economic
ornithology in this particular field."

TItc Times. "Mr. Collinge has done some useful work in helping to rescue from the region of
guesswork the question of the food of birds whose presence has special interest for
the farmer."

Nature. — " Mr. Collinge has done a very useful piece of work and has done his work carefully.
We hope this book will pass through many editions, and gain in strength as it grows —
incorporating new data and extending its scope."

DULAU & COMPANY, Ltd , 34-36, Margaret Street, London, W.1.

THE AVICULTURAL MAGAZINE

FOR THE STUDY OF

BRITISH AND FOREIGN CAGE BIRDS.

The ]Vl£i,^£i,zine fox* Be^innex^s.

Offers :—

(i.) Articles and notes on bird-keeping by experienced writers.

(ii ) illustrations of rare or interesting cage-birds,

liii.l Reviews of interesting books on birds.

(iv.) A correspondence column dealing with bird-keeping.

The Magazine is sent free, monthly, to Members of the Avicultural Society.
Entrance Fee, 10s. 6d. ; Annual Subscription, £l. Further information from the
Editor, Dr. Gkaham Renshaw, Sale, nr. ^L\NCHESTER. Telephone 144 Sale.

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ALL ORDERS AND COPY SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE EDITOR.

The Food of Sea=birds.

Dr. Collinge would welcome and gratefully
acknowledge any information, references or
reports as to the diminution of fish thought
to be due to sea-birds, or as to the destruction
of smolts or trout fry ; also views expressed
by any breeders, societies, etc.

Specimens of any of our commoner sea-
birds are required from different localities.
These will be purchased, the cost of postage
defrayed, and address labels supplied. For
further particulars apply —

Dr. Collinge, The University, St Andrews.

The Food of the Little Owl.

For some time past an investigation on the
food and feeding habits of the Little Gwl has
been in progress. In order to complete this
work we are desirous of obtaining further
examples from the 36 English Counties from
which this species has been recorded, or
elsewhere.

We shall be pleased to forward address
labels, and to defray the cost of postage, to
all who are willing to assist.

All communicalions should be addressed to
Dr. Collinge, The University, St. Andrews.

Printed by Curtis # Beiliinsh Ltd.. Coventry.

MEMBERS SUBSCRIPTIONS FALL DUE ON JANUARY 1st.

THE J/.

JOURNAL

OF THE

wild bird
Investigation Society

Edited by
WALTER E. COLLINGE, D.Sc . F.L.S , M.B.O U.

Vol. 1.

FEBRUARY, 1921.

No. 3.

CONTENTS.

ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTIONS:

A Few Notes on the Courting Antics of
some Britisli Birds.

By Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul. 49

Birds of the Wye Valley.

By Wm C. Blake.

The Citizen and Wild Birds.

By Walter E. Collinge. D Sc , F.L.S,

EDITORIAL

NOTES and NEWS

LOCAL BRANCHES:

St. Andrews

Dunfermline ...

Yoker

51

54

55

57

59
59

REVIEWS:

Territory in Bird Life (H. E. Howard) . 60

Birds of La Plata (W. H Hudson) 60

Diseases of Domesticated Birds (Ward

and Gallagher) 60

Birds and Man (W. H. Hudson, . 61

A Geographical Bibliography of British
Ornithology (Mullens, Kirke Swann,
and Jourdain) 62

The Heron of Castle Creek (A. W. Reesi 63

The Birds of the British Isles (T. A.

Coward 1 63

Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich

Naturalists Society 64

Synoptical List of the Accipitres (H. Kirke

Swann) 64

CURRENT LITERATURE 64

59 NOTICES TO MEMBERS

65

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309, OXFORD ROAD ("CSSiS"), MANCHESTER.

THE JOURNAL OF THE

WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION SOCIETY.

A FEW NOTES ON THE COURTING ANTICS OF SOME BRITISH BIRDS.

iiv LEONORA JEFFBEY RINTOUL.

^^^ \'I"- of the many joys which return-
■'^Irt \ng spring brings to lovers of
f. Nature is the siglit of the won-
U derful nuptial flights and antics
C; of the birds. These appear to be

common to all species in greater or lesser
degree, from the highly irritating feather
ruffling, wing trailing, shrill chirruping exhi-
bition of our common cock Sparrow to the
marvellous dances of Cranes and Sun-bitterns
wliich to most of the inhabitants of Great
Britain are practically unknown. Although
tlie birds in our islands may not be able to
show flights and dances like their brethren in
the tropics, yet there are many aspects of the
courting antics of even our commonest birds
whicli well repay investigation. To go no
furtlier than the Greenfinch, what could be
more charming than the wav in which he
flings himself into the air from the top of the
lighest tree he can find, and, circling roimd
lis peculiar slow, stiff flight (seen only
at this season), trills out his courting song to
liis a[)parentl\- indifferent lady-love. Another
common bird to wiiose courtships one looks
forward is tlie XN'oodpigeon ; not onl\- do the
woods resound with his musical Coo-coo coo-
coo-coo, but the sight of his dashing flight,
clap[)ing his wings from time to time over his
back, is one of wliich bird lovers dream.

Of late years the .Stockdove has coine to our
part of Scotland in increasing numbers, and
it has interested me very much to note the
difference of habit in the two species. .\I1 the
books tell of the difference in size and plu-
mage, in their ncsiing sites and so on, but

wit

tile more subtle difterence of what might
almost be called manners and deportment 1
have not found described anywhere. The
Woodpigeon has a rapid and direct flight, at
all times, and when doing his courting dis-
plays he dashes straight up, high in the air,
claps his wings over his back at the highest
point, then skims rapidly on outstretched
wing, in undulating flight. The Stockdove,
on the other hand, has a slower, more vacil-
lating flight, and when doing his nuptial
antics flaps round and round wiiii slow and
heavv wing beats, this flight being strangely
reminiscent of that of the Owls. The Stock-
dove's wings always strike me as being much
more roinided than those of the Woodpigeon ;
he never, as far as I have seen, claps them
over his back, but he has an attractive habit
of alighting, after the flight I have so in-
adec|uatel\- described, on the bare branch of
an old lir tree, and remaining for a moment
or two witii wings stretched up over his back.
He does not dasii himself through the air
with the verve and abandon of his relative,
and is altogether slower and less impetuous
in his courtship. His note is different, being
a rather monotonous roo-roo . . . roo-roo, lack-
ing the ciiarm and wildness of the familiar
call of tile Woodpigeon. He has, however,
a fascination of his own, and I am glad to
see that he seems to have taken up his abode
with us for good. It is only of very recent
years that Stockdoves ha\e taken to nesting
in the holes of the elm and lime trees in the
parks rountl the house, formerh' I knew
liiem on]\ as inhabitants of the links, where

[J.W.H.I.S., I'L-b., 19J1, vol. i, .No. 1.]

50

JOURNAL OF THE WIID BtRD IN\'i:STIGATION' SOCIETY.

tlip\- nested in rabljit holes, and flew away
lonq- before we j^^ot anywhere near them, so
that close ohser\ation of their h;ihits was im-
possible.

The mention of the links l-eads our
thoughts to other bird wonders, there 1 have
often watched Ringed Plovers doing their
nuptial flights; with ihem, as in the Green-
finch, the wing beat is slow and the flight
heav\' and almost mechanical-looking in its
stiffness, the direction is uncertain and vacil-
lating, and a distinctive trilling note is uttered
all the lime. Lapwings too have a flight and
dance during their courting period, the
former is really more of a tiunbling o\'er in
the air, performed in the midst of an appar-
ently normal flight. Their dance is very
attractive and preti\-, and seems to be but
little known; (he l)iril bends forwaril with
breast on or close to the groimd, turns his
back to the lad\' he wishes {o attract,
puffs out the beaiUiful white and chestnm
feathers under his tail and rolls slowh- from
side to side, from lime to time he stands up,
makes a few^ stiff steps forward or from side
to side, and then resumes the rolling again.
The.se stiff^ steps are a common accompani-
ment of nuptial displays, they are seen in
man\ of oin- most familiar waders; the 0\'ster-
caicher, lor (-\am]ile, mav be seen in spring
furthering his courtship in this manner, he
will talce a few stiff steps, then bend forward
with hill on or near the ground, and pour
forth his wonderful trilling note, which, once
heard, can ne\'er be forgotten.

The Re-dsliank too has a charming dance —
(|uoting from m\' own notes, I find, under date
of 15th April : " One gave a most beautiful
displa\' on the shore; he opened his wings till
they met o\-er liis back and walked with stiff,
formal steps after the female, who kept walk-
ing slowly away. \Mien she stopped he
turned round in front of her, sometimes
slightly lowering the points of his wings and
(|ui\ering them, at others sianding quite close

to the female with his wings stretched u|3 over
her head. Occasionalh' he stood still and
mox-etl his legs slf)wly as if walking, but witii-
out athancing; he followed the female for
about forty yards, displaying all the lime,
ihen she flew away, and he follcjwed." Red-
shanks have also a rather attractive courting
llighl; when flying thev seem to stop and
flutter their \yings very, very cjuickly in the
air, then skim along with wings e.Ktended but
motionless for quite a long w-ay. The beauti-
ful spring flight and call of the C"urlevy is too
well known to require exhaustive description,
all who have visited, at this season, our moors
and iqjlands, where these birds breed, know
and love this wild eerie note and woiulerlul,
hovering flight.

The Duck famih perform their c(iui-tshi]:)s
in another wa\- ; 1 ha\e man\' times watched
|{ider displaying, but these antics have been
so often described that \ye need not reiterate
ihem, but will tr\' to give some idea of the
kindred actions of some other less well-known
species. I have often seen .Mergan.ser dis-
pla\ ing in Largo Bay; on 19th February,
igoS, four, tvyo males and two females, were
swimming about close inshore, the males
courting hard. They sank themselves low in
the water, puffing out their breasts and hold-
ing their heads rather back, then they suil-
denly darted their heads upwards, then down
close along the water. This done, lhe\ laised
their tails so quickdy that ihe whole body
liobbed in the water. \\'hen the head is
raised the crest lies flat along the back of the
neck', but when the head is thrown forwards
and downwards it is raised fiercely. On the
occasion above referred to the Ducks took no
a|)parent interest in the proceedings, swim-
ming about in an indifferent manner. At the
luisi Xeuk of Life Long-tailed Ducks ma\'
often be seen in the winter and spring months.
Before thev take their long flight to their
breeding places in the far north I have some-
times seen their courting displays and heard

joruxAi. (II- riii: uii d bird iwkstk.atiox society.

5'

their cliararleristic iiolc, which, In nic, always
Sduncis Wki- calloo. ciillon. ringiiiy over the
still surface of the waters. In thinking- of
these displays of the l,()n<T-tailed Ducks mv
memory calls back the vision of a perfectly
calm sea. bhie-grev in colour, rolling wave-
less on the jagged rocks which Iringe our
ccjasls. 'Iliese are the onl\- coudiiions under
which it is possible to hear there, as well as
see, the courtships of the I.ongtails, for,
should there be sufficient sea for the waves
to break, the noise drowns the linging call of
the little northern lover. In common with
other Ducks, he displays with u|i-ihrown
head and extended bill, the long tail loo is
brought into plav, being cocked erect into the
air.

Ai this same place I have watched the
antics of Cormorants in spring: one which
we saw flew in from the sea and settled beside
a bird which was alreadx' sitting on a rock,
lie stretched out his neck, opened his bill
wide, then bent his head back o\er his back
till it almost touched his tail, then swung it
slowh' upwards and forwards at the same
time till his neck was stretcheil out (|uite
straight and his head rested on the rock close
to the other bird. He repeated this motion
several times, keeping all the while verv stiff
and rigid, while his tail, which was spread
out like a fan, stuck straight up into the
air.

I do not pretend to ha\e done moit- than
touch l^rietly on the more interesting forms
of display in a few of our common birds,
'rhough less elaborate, they are no less beau-
tiful in their wa\- than the much \aunted
posturings of the Uirds of Paradise and the
display of the ocelli of the .\rgus Pheasant.
'lMie.se are sights which are .seen by compara-
tively few, while those I have de.scribed mav
be .seen by all who are fortunate enough to
be in the country at the right time of vear,
and who have eyes to .see the wdnders of
Xature.

BIRDS OF THE WYE VALLEY.

liv WILLIAM C. BLAKE.

(Co)iti)iHeil Iroin p 31.)

The Peregrine (Falca peregriniis, Tunstall)
shall next have our attention. This noble
bird of falconry prestige used to occur at
regular intervals, but now, alas, is very rarely
met with. Our county museum contains a
reall\- fine series of localK shot specimens.

.\l)out litteen years ago a farmer of my
ac(|uaintance was out shooting Wood Pigeons
with a stuffed Ring Dove as a deco\-. Sud-
denly he was surprised to sec a large hawk
descend on his dumm\- bird. Xot wishing
to destro\- the rare visitur he dro\-e it off, but
it repeated the operation ten minutes later.
.\gain he frightened it awav, vowing that if
it anno\ed him a third time its life should
pay the forfeit. .\ third attempt was made
later, to its cost. It proved to be a tine male
Peregrine. 1 narrowl}- escaped having it pre-
sented to me; unfortunatel}', the farmer met
another frientl, who has it well preserved and
cased.

That handsome spring \'isitor, the Hobb}'
{Fdico subbuleo, Linn.), a Peregrine in minia-
ture, is met with now and then. .\. fine male
specimen was killed in Penvard Wood a few
years ago by a neighbour of mine. I'nfortu-
nately, something happened to the taxider-
mist, and he did not gel his bird returned.

.\ beautiful male was obtained near Here-
lord, and was tor years in jiossession of iti\'
dear old friend, .Mr. J. 15. Pille\-. .Since his
decease it was presented to me by his brother.

I was recentl\- informed of a " battle ro\al "
in the air between a Ilobb\- and a Sparrow-
Haw !<, with fatal results.

1 an-| told that it "turns up" occasionalh-
in the .SyiTionds N'at district.

.\ labouring nian accosted me one da\-, ,sa\--
ing he had gone up the Wye side hoping to
meet with a duck. Heing unsuccessful, he
saw a small hawk rise froni the ground, and

52

JOURN'AL OF THE WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION SOCIETY.

emptied his gun at it. He thought it was a
voung Sparrow Hawk. " If he's any use to
you, its yours; if not, I'll give it to the cat."
I requested him to give me the first chance.
At sight 1 identified it as a female Merlin
(Falco cu'xalon, Tunstall), in beautiful con-
dition, ll is now in ni}' collection, well
mounted and cased. A nice male bird taken
near Hereford was also kindly given to me
by Mr. Pilley.

1 was pleased to hear the cry of the Merlin
in Brinsop Wood the end of last July. I am
well acquainted with ils note, having kept
Merlins on two occasions. The first came
from a nest on the Yorkshire Moors. The
second found itself entangled in the net of a
Birmingham bird catcher. The young speci-
men grew up very tame, but the adult one
was wild to the end of ihe chapter. It is
believed to nest annually on a certain wooded
hill a few miles from Ross. Others may
cross the district on their internal migration
from the northern to southern counties.

Two other hawks only remain to be men-
tioned. The S]Darrow Hawk is a most rapa-

cious fellt

with all the courage of a

Goshawk. It has man\' enemies, and is, 1
fear, a decreasing species. It is vain to plead
for its life witli gamekeepers or those who
emplov diem. As an instance of the disparity
of the sexes, ! may mention that of a pair
given to me (shot off their nest), the male
weiglied but five ounces, while the female
scaled ten ! \or was the difference due to
recently taken food, for both iheir stomachs
were empl\'.

SN'Ianv readers, 1 am sure, could cite
instances of the boldness of the Sparrow
Hawk. Here are a few that have come within
mv " ken." In a \inery near to me, a
Sparrow Hawk dashed through the glass side
in pursuit of a sparrow. A second plunged
through the roof of a conservatorv, some
canaries in cages being the attraction. It was
picked up in a dazed condition. I was once

at a country funeral. The hedges were about
on a level with the coffin. A Sparrow Hawk
flew across, chasing a small bird, only aiaout
a foot above the " casket." Two vears ago
one swooped down on a cage containing a
Goldfinch. This cage was hung between the
front door and a window in the main street
of our tow II ! Certainly it was on a Sunday
initl-day, when few people were about. The
owner, hearing a noise, rushed out and seized
the hawk before it could extricate itself. The
hawk seized him, drawing blood with its
tak)ns. I was sent for to identifv it, and found
it in a thrush cage, on the perch of repentance
we will hope. Learning they proposed screw-
ing its neck, I purchased it, and so saved its
life. It was the smallest made Sparrow Hawk
I think I have ever seen. It could not brook
captivits', and, though placed in a roomy
aviarv, it died on the third day.

Last autumn m\' esteemed neighbour, Col.
I-Aan Thomas, of Over Ross House, kindly
gave me a fine female Sparrow Hawk, which
had been picked up dead, but warm, outside
his dining room window. Xo birds were
inside the room. The presumption is the
hawk was in pursuit of a small bird, when it
cracked its skull against the window pane.

To oblige a voung friend at college, 1
took charge of a pair of \'oung Sparrow
Hawks (taken from the nest). When the
vacation arrived, six weeks later, they were
transferred to him. Onl\- twd weeks elapsed
before thc\- " fell out," the female killed her
brother, and succumbed to her own wounds
a few da\ s later.

The heaiiliful and useful Kestrel (Falco
lliiniinciiliis, Linn.) concludes the county list
ol tUurnal birds of prey. This species is both
deserving of our admiration and protection.
I once kept one for four years. Notwith-
standing being captured as an adult, it
became sufticiently tame to perch on my fin-
ger, or to fly and take a mouse off the palm
of m\ hand. The \ear before it died it laid

jfiUUNAi, "I nil-: uiiD Biiai iwestk.atiox sorinv.

53

an Kgg \\'n\\ a while ij;-|(iuiid anil >.|)laslied lik<'
a -Sparrow Hawk's. All I have shown it to
(as a icsl) lia\e rej^arded it as belonging to
this latter species. I presume ihe \arialion
was due to {■ontincnienl. As the bird woidd
not sit I removed the egg to my cabinet.

1 was interested one spring day with the
gyrations and " balancings " <il a Kestrel
over a ver\' circumscribed area. ihe secret
was (lui when, iii response to her motherly
call, there was a reply from a nest of young
in a tree. Scarcely a countr\ walk can be
taken by anyone who has eyes to see, without
observing the graceful evolutions and hover-
ings of the Kestrel. I always use my best
efforts to protect this useful and loveh- little
falcon.

We now come to the nocturnal birds ot
pre\ . Ihe beneficial White or Harn Owl
{FUiDnuca flamuwa, L.) is still with us in good
numbers, antl I hope will be allowed to
increase. .\ Barn Owl is worth at least six-
pence a week to any farmer. I trust lhe_\- will
not fail to recognize this. As an aviary speci-
men it is not ver\- interesting, as it sits dosing
most of the day. .A friend brought me one
to forward for stufling, which had injured
itself by flying into the wheel of a convex-
ance. Dazzled possibly by the lamps.

The Brown or iawnv Owl (Slrix aliico,
r.inn.) may be heard on all sides during the
moonlight nights of spring. I ha\e kept the
species on several occasions, nursing up the
comical little " puff-balls " until thev attained
their mature jilumage. B\' this time the\-
become (|uite tame. The superstitious view
them sometimes as uncanny birds. A ladv
who was delighted at seeing me put them
through their performances said her husband
could not be prevailed upon to come and see
them on any account. The last pair 1 kept
iiooted so lustily at night as to disturb m\
esteemed neighbours. Their duet graduallv
increased to a small orchestra, in which manv
of the local owls took part.

Rather than annoy my friends, and being
unwilling to sell my birds into less comfort-
able captivity, I decided to liberate them. I
iipenetl the aviary door and retired to watch
the result. I had to wait palienth' for half
an hour before the hen bird crossed the
threshold and flew out on to a clothes line.
Being unable to grip it she revolved and hung
head downwards, so I released and tossed her
up. She flew over the garden wall. The
door was left wide open all night and all the
next day, but it was dusk of evening before
the cock decided to tr\- " the wide, wide
world."

A few days later an urchin offered an Owl
cheap, which he said he had " ketched " with
his hat. It was one of my half-domesticated
birds. I secured its freedom. Some months
later T met with a Brown Owl in a plantation
half a mile distant. It was being mobbed
by small birds, but refused to budge from its
perch. 1 viewed it well with my binocular,
and feel sure it was one of my former pets.
A tew days later a rustic appeared, feeling
sure that he could show me something that
would please me. \\'ithdrawing a Brown Owl
from his capacious pocket, he said, " Aint
him a beauty, I shot him in the ash planta-
tion." I was no buyer. He got a lecture
instead. Alas, for the tragic end of my one
owl. 1 lain hoi^e the other is spared to " do
his bit " in this mouse and rat over-run
countx".

I once had an addled egg of the Brown Owl
gix'en to me, which had been taken from a
lientl in a disused chimne\-. .My friend, Col.
I-Aan Thomas, sent for me two years ago to
see a Brown Owl which had spent several
days close against a chimne\- of Over Ross
House. We viewed it tn ad\'antage, the
weather being cold and the suridiinding trees
leafless, we thought it ma\' have chosen thi-
spot for the sake of warmth.

The l.ong-eared Owl (Asia olus, Linn )
and the Short-eareil (.l.v/'* accif^ilriuus, Pallas'

H

54

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD INVESTK iATION SOCIETY.

are SDinetiines mel with, Init the records are
few. I once kept the former, from the San-
drini:;:liam Estate, and have Welsh specimens
of both stuffed.

The Little Owl {Carine nnciua, Scop.) for-
rnerh- verv rare, has been increasing of late
years. Manv of the species imported from
Holland have been liberated in this country,
and probably from these our present stock has
bred. It has been notified to me from several
parishes around Ross.

Two years ago 1 was iii\ited to " look up "
a pair of Little Owls in tiie grounds of a lady
near Ross. .After an ornithological chat and
a cup of tea with this eighty-seven year old
lover of birds, I went oiU with the daughters
of the house and soon detected the note of
Carinc noclita. We .stalked them up, and
viewed the pair to good advantage. They
appeared to eve us with as much curiosity as
we watched them.

The keeper on an estate in the adjoining
parish told me recently that he has observed
an increase of this little stranger for the last
three years, and expects to see more yet after
the breeding season.

I have kept them on two occasions. The
last pair laid eggs, but would not sit. They
were grotesque little customers and the most
diurnal of all our Owls.

(To be continued.)

THE CITIZEN AND WILD BIRDS.

Bv Dr. WALTER E. COLLINGE, D.Sc, etc.

St. Aiiilicxi'S University.

During the past few years much has been
written on the subject of wild birds. There
is undoubtedh' a growing appreciation on the
part of the general public of our avifauna.
Notwithstanding this, some very curious
opinions still exisl. I>y some people all wild

birds are regarded as injurious, and conse-
(|uentl\' objects to i^e destroyed; while others
e.xlol them in flowing panegyrics as things of
joy tmd iieauty. Xo doubt in bolli ca.ses the
individuals are actuated by the best of
motives, but owing to a lack (jf information
and knowledge of their ways and habits, both
o|)inions are largely misleading.

A few of our wild birds, such as the liouse-
s|iarrow, starling, wood ]3igeon and I'ook,
have during recent years increased to such an
extent that thev have i^ecome a very serious
menace to the cultivator of the soil, and long
ago repressive measures should have been
undertaken with a view to reducing their
numbers; but of the majority of species noth-
ing but guod can be said, for, apart from all
other considerations, they i3ro\-ide a natural
C(jntrol of insect life, withoiu which it would
scarcely be possible to protitabh' culiixaie ihe
land.

l"\)r some \ear.s past, owing to climatic and
other causes, there has been a serious diminu-
tion of many of our beneficial species, and
at a time when home-grown food is of more
than ordinary value, and thousands of allot-
ment holders are endeavouring to produce the
maximum yield, it is important that we should
very carefully waich an\- factor or factors that
are likeh' to iiandica]) the .small grower or that
injure his crops. Now there is one factor of
most serious import that is taking a loll of
from ten to lifiy per cent., or more, of all
home-grown food, viz., injurious insects, and
there is good reason for supposing that the
fact that these ha\-e been so pre\-alent of recent
years is in no small measure due to the reduced
nimiber of our insect-eating wild birds.

To conserve and preserve such a beneficial
natural force is surely the dutx* of ever\- true
citizen, and much more might be done than
lias yet iicen altem]3ted. Sureh' theii' beauty
ot lorm and I'olnur, the ta.scinaiion of their
haiiils, ;ind the music of ilu-ir song aic wdithy
<it more than [lassing notice.

JOURNAL OF IIIK WIID BIRD IWRSTKiATION SOCIRTY.

55

111 all nui- pLiblir parks, recreation j^frdinuls,
etc., niiuii mij4;lu be done in ilie way of pro-
viding^ nesting sites and in protection gener-
allv. In the I'nited States of America, Aus-
tralia, and elsewhere many such areas have
been set apart as wild bird sanctuaries, with
excellent results. Surely such a sini])lc |3lan
might be adopted by our municipalities and
urban authorities throughout the land. The
provision of nesting boxes in our gardens and
allotments would help to increase the number
of insect-eating birds, and at the same time
af^'ord considerable pleasure to those who
erected them.

In the encouragemeiu of the study of wiki
bird life we are far behind other countries, as
also in educating the young in this connec-
tion. The introduction of this imjiortant sul)-
ject in our schools, particularlx' those in urban
and rural districts, is very desirable. In other
countries such instruction has pro\-etl to be
both |)leasural)le antl profitable, and to such
an extent that in certain States in America
it is now compulsory. Arbor and Hird Days
ha\'e been instituted in matn countries. On
these occasions special addresses are given in
the public schools on bird life and its utilit\'.
The good such organizations are doing in
instilling a love and knowledgr of birds into
the rising generation cannot well be over-
estimatetl.

The citizen has evervthing to gain b\' the
increase of all wild birds that are beneficial,
both from a utilitarian and an a-sthetical
standpoint, and there never was a time w'hen
his interest on their behalf was more needed
that at the present. By a little forethought
and effort each might do much to preserve a
natural pleasure and secure the same to the
ftiture sjcncration.

THE JOURNAL OF THE

WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION
SOCIETY.

Tke Journal is supplied Jree to all Ordinary and /Issociate
Members. Non-members oj the Society may obtain it from the
publishers (post free) on forwarding subscription of liis. Gd.

All matter intended for publication should be written on one
side of the paper only. Typed MS. is desitab.e. Unrelated
subjects should be dealt with on different sheets. No notice will
be taken of anonymous communications. No matter can be
returned unless a stamped and directed envelope is enclosed.

All communications should be addressed to Dr. W . E. Collinge,
St. Andrews, Scotland.

EDITORIAL

O

The steady, if somewhat slow, progress of the
W.B.I.S. is a source of much satisfaction to those
who are interested in the study and protection
of our wild birds, but there is a considerable
amount of spade-work to be done before we win
over public opinion. As Miss E. L. Turner has
recently pointed out, " Bird protection laws are
ineffective and futile. This is partly owing- to
the fact that these laws are engineered by the
wrong people, and partly because of the many
conflicting interests." We welcome this out-
outspoken statement, as it is very difficult, indeed
almost impossible, to convince many so-called
bird protectionists that they are doing more harm
than good. "The public," Miss Turner con-
tinues, " is becoming more and more genuinely
interested in birds. It likes to know the details
of their home life and the workings of their tiny
minds. It is only by educating public opinion
that our heritage of birds can be ultimately pre-
served. "

A larger membership, more local branches, and
consequent increased income would do much
tow'ards enabling us to carry out this work of
educating public opinion. Moreover, such work
demands all the enthusiasm that bird lovers can
throw into it, for as a nation we have been, and
still are, largely indifferent. We are not inter-

56

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD IWESTU lATlON' SOCIETY.

ested in birds as living;- thinys. This fact was
vividly brought home to us recently by the state-
ment of a distinguished foreign ornithologist,
who writes : " It is surprising to me that in Great
Britain vou have so few real students of wild bird
life, of collectors, 1 know, \ou ha\c more than
enough. "

This, unfortunately, is only tcjn true. Even the
utilitarian side is neglected, and yet there are few-
subjects in the field of natural science that bear
more intimately upon the prosperity and interests
of mankind.

Economic Ornithology, as this branch of
science is termed, concerns itself with all aspects
and phases of wild bird life in relation to man-
kind. The food and feeding habits of the
different species as affecting agriculture, horticul-
ture, forestrx , and the fisheries; the outbreak and
control of insect |3lagues, and those of rats, voles,
mice, etc. The preservation of game and other
birds as a home-grown food supply. The pro-
tection or repression of wild birds and the meas-
ures to adopt for such purposes; the legislation
relating- to their preservation or destruction, and
the introduction of foreign species. The commer-
cial uses of birds, and also their aesthetic, senti-
i-i-iental, and educational value.

It will thus be seen that the subject is an intri-
cate and difficult one. " Its successful prosecution
presupposes not only an accurate knoAvledge of
classification, distribution, migration and habits,"
but also a wide biological training, especially in
entomology, botanv, and n-iarine zoologv, and
■' an acquaintance with the measures which have
lieen adopted for the preservation of useful or
the destruction of noxious species.'

Rightlv appreciated and assiduously prosecuted
the benefits it would confer upon the State are
almost illimitabk', one at least may appeal to the
utilitarian, viz., that it would annually save the
country the loss of nianx- millions of pounds ster-
ling worth of food.

1 here is no dcnving ihc fact that as a nation
we have neglected the study of this important
branch of biological science, and that in conse-
quence our countrx- is distinctlv poorer.

The subject is one that for nianv vears to come
requires the patient enthusiasm of the experi-
enced investigator, indeed our present knowledge

'Palmer, T. S. Yearbook U.S. Tlepl. .4gric., 1S99. p. 259.

is so meagre that research must be the dominant
principle. In a sense this is unfortunate, lor as
a nation we have failed very largeK to stimulate,
encourage, or provide for original research. Sir
Oliver Lodge has recently told us,' "for State
discourag-ement of pure research, both active and
passive, the organisation in this countrv must be
diHicull to beat."

.So long- ago as iSyi, Earl Cathcart- referred
to economic ornithology as " an untrodden and
promising- field that lies ojaen for investigation,"
and so recently as 1908 a writer in one of our
leading scientific journals stated ; "In the matter
of economic ornithology we in Eng-land are dis-
gracefully behind the times; the Board of .Agri-
culture seeminglv prefers to leave this matter to
private enterprise, or to deal with the matter in
such a perfunctorv nianner as to be positively
ridiculous, making us the laughing-^lock of the
nations. " '

lo-dav its posilliin is just as de])lorable, but
it is absurd to throw the blame on the Board of
.Vgriculture. The Government has made no pro-
vision, either as regards finances or personnel,
to remedy this condition of affairs. .Amongst the
overcrowded staffs and numerous .State officials
of the present day, we fail to fintl any State Eco-
nomic Ornithologist. It is patent that the State
neither understands or appreciates the import of
ihe subject or its irue relation to the country,
and yet in practicalK every civilised countrv its
importance has long; been recognised.

W'heri one considers the trulv magnificent work
an-omplished by the United .States Division of
Biological .Survev, as set forth in upwards of 160
memoirs, bulletins, etc., beautifuriy illustrated,
issued since 1 885, on an annual appropriation of
sonuiliing less than ;£,'5,ooo, we are bound to
question whether the nation is getting value for
ils nionev in the grants made bv the Development
CninmiNsicners, .-md whether a similar sun-i to
ihal ixpt'nded b\ the L'nited .States g'overnment
would not be niore wiselv spent, and with in-
linlulv greater and more beneficial results than
ac<rut- from many of the g-rants made at present.
Economic ornlthologv in the United States to-day
stands as a branch of zoological science equal to
anv oilier, if not surpassing some, unt] I he slan-

' The NinelL-eiUli CciUury, 1918. July. p. S9.
'Tlie Times, .May I6tli, 1891.
V\iin ami .Ma.i;, .\at. Hist.. 190.S (s. \iii.), vol. 2. p. 1.32.

jorKNAi. 1)1-' nil-: w ii n hiki> iv\i-;sTiii.\Ti().\ .socii-i'i

57

(lard lIuTf sv-t is unixersallv acclainu'd and looked
lip to hs all other civilised comniunilii-s.

just as our (iov'ernnicnt has not as vet recog-
nised tlie subject of economic ornitliolotjy, so also
have our L'nivcrsities failed. In the general net;-
lect of biol()t;ical research which at present char-
acterises our L'nivcrsities as a whole, no place
lias been found for rconnniic urnitholo,t;v. That
our L'niversitv Courts and Councils talk about
research is very true, but that they fail to act is
comnion knowledi^'c. The " orit;inator of know-
ledi^i," as Professor 1 yndall termed the research
\\i)rker, is <lependant upon a leu w iselv adminis-
tered Trusts and l-'unds. Hitter will be his dis-
appointment if he trusts to Courts or Councils.

As a subject for research economic ornitholog'v
offers a wide scope to the zooloijical student,
Axhilsl in the ag'ricultuial, forestrx', and fisherv
<lepartments it affords a valuable subject for
leaching. We should like to see less time devoted
to teaching subsidiary and non-essential subjects
in these departments and more time devoted to
courses in economic ornithologv and entomology,
bv teachers ciualified bv long' practical experience
and original investigation, for both subjects bear
so intimati'iv u]5on agriculture. Some dav we
shall realise, we hope, that agriculture is a
younger sister of biologv and not a special branch
of chemistry, as some would rndeaxour to make
it.

It will thus be seen that in this coiintrv, neither
the .State nor our L'nivcrsities ha\'e recognised
the subject of economic ornithologv. W'e have
mo State economic ornithologist or ornithologists
and no professorship, readershi]? or lec-tureship
of the subject in anv of our L'nivcrsities. What
is the result? .\part from the loss of prestige in
the eyes of other nations, we are burdened with
an annual loss of ujiwards of ;£'_[ 0,000,000. The
saving of a twentieth part of this sum for a single
year would be sunicient to endow and maintain a
Chair and Department of Economic; Ornithology
1n every L'niversity in the L'nited Kingdom. No
such prodigality, however, is desired, so that the
actual capital sum needed is trifling, and it would
return such a rate of interest and such results
that would be out of all proportion to the outlav.

Surely amongst our statesmen and legislators
there are some who realise where this apathy and
Indifference to scientific reseanh will ultimatclv
lantl us.

•The idea that our native avifauna has now
been so thoroughly explored that little of import-
ance remains to be discovered, is, unfortunately,
deeply rooted in the minds of many, even enthusi-
astic ornithologists. Nevertheless, It Is a fact
that we have, as yet, but touched the fringe of
this study of British birds Hosts of problems
await our attention, and the attempted solution
of these will give rise to as many more as yet
unsuspected

\\ . 1". PVCH.AIT.

BREEDING STATIONS OF THE BLACK-HEADED
GULL

t)rnithologists generalK are indebted to .Mr.
Robert Clurney for a very valuable and interest-
ing account of the breeding stations of the Black-
headed Gull in the British Isles (Trans. Norfolk
and Norwich Nat. .Soc, 1920, vol. x, pp. 416-
447). .As the author points out, this Is not onlv
one of our most beautiful and conspicuous water
birds, but it has come to possess a certain eco-
nomic importance. In 1H84 Mr. J. E. Harting
was of opinion that this bird was on the road to
extinction as a breeding species, but at the pre-
sent time there can be little doubt that it is one
of, if not the commonest, of our sea-birds, and
that its nesting sites are on the increase rather
than the decrease. .\s the author points out,

colonies wax and wane greatly from \ear to
year, and the birds frequently desert a site alto-
gether, onK- perhaps to return after a few years."

L'nder the different ci)unties he has brought
together an Inyaluable mass of data of the highest
importance, and whilst modestly regarding his
list as only " an incomplete framework," the gaps
in which he hopes ornithologists will fill in, we
have no hisilation in stating that this framework
is a very substantial piece of work which com-
paratively little adilition will complete.

ATTEMPTED BREEDING OF BEE EATERS IN
SCOTLAND.

Dr. W. Eagle Clarke describes in a recent
nunibiM- of the Scotlish Xiitiiralist, the attempted
breeding of a pair of Bee-eaters {Merops afyicister)
oil a sand bank of the River Esk at Musselburgh.
I'nfortunatelv, the female l)ird was somehow
injured and ultimately died.

.^s

JOUUWI. OF THE WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION SOCIETY.

OUTDOOR BIRD STUDY.

I'ndtr this title Mr. E. H. Forbush, the State
Ornithologist of Massachussetts, has issued a
most useful and interesting- booklet containing a
series of hints for beginners. I'nder the headings
How to find birds : How to knoA\- birds : How to
approach birds : and How to attract birds, there
is a wealth of sound and practical advice seldom
found in so small a compass. The following
passage is deserving of special attention.
" Science is truth. Its records must be based on
facts. Therefore if you report your findings, you
should be sure, first, that they are authentic. A
fertile imagination is a great gift, useful for the
writer of fiction, but it has no place in bird study.
A ' creative memorv ' is not an asset for the bird
student. "

FOOD OF THE LITTLE OWL.

On the flimsiest exidence this handsome and
quaint little bird has been condemned as an enemy
of game birds, in spite of numerous statements
to the contrarv. As a matter of fact only a very
small percentage of its food consists of young
birds, and game birds bv no means form the bulk
of this. In his valuable and interesting Ornitho-
logical Notes from Norfolk for 1919 (Brit. Birds,
1920, p. 259) Mr. J. H. Gurney writes : " There
seems to be a prevailing prejudice against it, but
the harm it does has been greatly exaggerated, in
spite of what numerous letters to sporting papers
mav say to the contrary : at any rate, in the south
of France it is not looked upon with disfavour,
and the test of dissection is rather in its favour
than otherwise." Prejudice and exaggeration
seem to be the basis of the evidence against it.

THE DESTRUCTION OF SKYLARKS.

Our contemporarv. Bird Notes and News,
draws attention to the trade that is being carried
on bv bird-catchers in Skylarks, Goldfinches, and
Linnets. The Skylarks are netted to " festoon
poulterers' shops and to grace the dinners of city
magnates or the dance-suppers of would-be smart
women." The suggestion that " members of the
R.S.P.B. should refuse to deal with any poulterer
or with any game department of any store where
Larks are offered for sale," is an excellent one,
and might well be supported by members of the
W.B.L.S. and the public generally. Such action
would quicklv put an end to this scandal.

CALL-NOTE OF BIRDS
In a recent paper entitled " .Sequestration
Notes " (.Auk, 1920, pp. S4-S8) Mr. Joseph Grin-

nell points out that certain non-flocking passerine
birds, such as the Ruby-crowned Kinglets (Regii-
his) and .Audubon Warblers (Deudroica), which
feed upon small insects, which in winter are not
abundant, and consequentl} must be looked for
on every leaf and twig to find enough, must avoid
duplicating territorv that their neighbours have
already scrutinized. In other words, two or more
individuals must not follow each other's paths or
look over the same ground, at least not until there
has been time for insect life to move about again.
The writer's view is that these birds have devel-
oped a special note or call warning other birds
to avoid territorv alreadv occupied.

WILD BIRO PROTECTION ACTS.

The following committees have been appointed
to advise the Government in connection with the
administration of the Wild Birds Protection .Acts.
By the Home Secretarv for England : — His Grace
the Duke of Rutland,' K.G. (Clniinuiin), Mr. H.
G. Maurice, C.B., .Mr. Percy R. Lowe, M.B.,
Dr. Montague Sharp, and Mr. E. C. Stuart
Baker, O.B.E. By the Secretarv for Scotland : —
Mr. Hugh S. Gladstone, M..A.' (Cliuirnian), Dr.
W. Eagle Clarke, Dr. Walter E. Collinge, .Mr.
H. M. Conacher, Mr. H. J. Crowe, and Prof. J.
.Arthur Thomson.

One of the objects which the \\'.B.1..S. seeks
to carry out is the establishment of a network of
local branches throughout the United Kingdom.
Such a series of clubs would not only have a
great educational value, but they would tend to
link together all who are interested in the study
of wild bird life. Moreover, the members, bound
together as definite organizations, would un-
doubtedlv exercise a most beneficial influence
upon all matters pertaining to the subject in their
respective districts.

Any two Ordinary Members of the Society who
are willing to act as Chairman and Honorary
Secretary respectivelv, can, with the sanction of
the Council, call together those interested, and if
ten Ordinary or .Associate Members can be
obtained, the Branch can be formed, weekly or

JOURNAL ni- TIIK W 1! H HIKD IXVESTIGATION SOCIKTV.

59

monthlv meetings, excursions, etc., anansjed,
and work (-ommenced.

The Secretary will be pleased to forward
nomination forms and further particulars, or to
reply to any queries, on application. Envelopes
should be marked " Local Branches."

St. Andrews. — Chairman : Prof. D'Arcv W.
Thompson, C.B., D.l.ltt., I'.R.S. ' Hon.
Secretary: O. S. Orr, Commercial Hank
House.

.March 17th. — Dr. Walter K. ('i)llint;e in a most
instructive lecture on " The l-Ood and Feeding
Habits of \\'ild Birds," pointed out that during
the past few \ears an increased interest had been
l.iken in the subject o\ving to the shortness of
food. '\'hc extreme views held as to the economic
)30sition of \yild birds were, in the lecturer's
opinion, largely due to ignorance. Strictly speak-
in^-, we had really very few injurious birds in
this country, and much of the harm they did
might be prevented if effective repressive meas-
ures were instituted. Of the majority of species,
liowever, nothing but good could be said. .After
dealing with the various methods of estimating a
bird's food, a large series of lantern slides were
shown illustrating the percentages of the various
food items, and it was shown that in spite of such
injurious species as the house-sparrow, bullfinch,
wood pigeon, and sparrow hawk, the sum total
of their activities was distinctively in favour of
the farmer and the fruit grower, for the benefits
they confer are almost twice as g'reat as the
injuries thev inflict. .After some remarks by the
Chairman, the Rev. G. Nowell Price, Mr. C.
Bayne Meldrum proposed a vote of thanks to Dr.
Collinge for his most interesting and instructive
lecture.

Xovembcr 2nd.— Dr. W. K. Collinge occupied
the chair. .Mr. C. H. Cniild was elected an asso-
ciate member. Miss E. V. Baxter gave an
account of " Our Common Waders," treating of
their distinguishing features, seasonal changes of
plumage, habits, nesting' sites, and migration.
Her remarks were illustrated by a large series of
specimens, set up and in the skin, of the oyster-
■catcher, ringed plover, knot, redshank, dunlin,
and turnstone. The address was most instructive
and interesting. Mr. \"alentine followed with an
€xhibit of and remarks on the egg's of the same
species. Dr. Collinge gave a brief account of the
results obtained in a recent investigation on the
food of the kingfisher, in which he showed from

an analysis of the nest contents, pellets, and
stomach contents, that this bird, by destroying
large C|uantities of the larvae of water-beetles,
dragon-flies, etc., was really beneficial to angles.
.Mitinows and sticklebacks formed the major [)or-
tion of the fish food, only 7.28 per cent, of trout
being present. No fish ova were found in any of
the stomachs. \ most interesting paper on the
aid of photography in the study of wild bird life
was read by Mr. O. .S. Orr, and illustrated by a
wealth of very beautiful photographs.

December 6th. — .Miss L. j. Rintoul lectured on
"Bird Watching and Bird Nesting." The lec-
turer's intimate acquaintance with, and wide
knowledge of, our wild bird fauna was sufficient
guarantee of a lecture of more than ordinary'
interest, and with the aid of a fine series of lan-
tern slides, ably shown Ijy .Miss E. V. Baxter,
she surpassed most expectations. The dangers
and difficulties, as well as the pleasures, of bird
watching, whether along the rocky shore, the
hillside and moor, or from the lighthouse top,
were fully dealt with. Many interesting points
relating to the means of identification, the sea-
sonal changes of plumage, modes of flight,
migration song, the spring and autumn migrants,
the movements of wild duck, and other matters
were fully described and illustrated. Bird nest-
ing, from the lecturer's standpoint, did not mean
the destruction of nests and the stealing of eggs.
These fjeautiful constructions and their contents
were left unmolested, but by means of the camera
a permanent record was obtained of their form
and structure. ihose of a wide range of species
were shown and numerous |X)ints of interest ex-
plained. The keen interest with which the mem-
bers had followed Miss Rintoul's remarks was
fully evidenced by the numerous cjuestions which
were showered upon her at the close of a most
interesting and instructive lecture, excellent alike
in treatment and display. Professor Thompson,
who presided, voiced the feeling of the meeting
in according Miss Rintoul and Miss Baxter a
verv- hearty vote of thanks.

Dunfermline. — Dr. Collinge has recently ad-
dresseil a large meeting of local naturalists,
and a local branch is now being formed. .\
full report will appear in our next issue.

Yoker, Renfrewshire. — Thanks to the energy and
enthusiasm of Mr. .Alexander Cuthbertson,
there is every prospect of a local branch being
formed.

bo

JOURNAL OF THK WILD BIRD IWKSTIG \T10X SOCIETY,

R E V I E W5

Tekritokv in BiKi) Li IB. Bv H. Eliot Howard.
Pp. xiii. + 308, I I pis. London : John
MurraA', 1920. Price 21s. net.

The author puts forward a thesis of distinct
value and orig-inality, which is well written and
illustrated by a considerable amount of personal
observations.

Briefly, his contention is " that each male
isolates itself at the commencement of the breed-
ing; season and exercises dominion over a re-
stricted area of ground. With a view to ascer-
taining- the relation of this behaviour to the
system of reproduction, Mr. Howard made further
careful studies of widely different species. The
result of his investigations is given in this book,
which fully discusses the theory of ' breeding-
territory," and attempts to interpret the prospec-
tive value of the behaviour. A number of facts
are given which serve to show that the battles,
so marked a feature of bird life in the spring, are
directlv related to the possession of territory, and
that the song contributes towards the security of
possession. The problem of migration is also
discussed, and its orig-in traced to the seasonal
competition for territory."

Interesting as Mr. Howard's theory is, we feel
that at times he is unconvincing, there is a certain
sense of strain, and he views almost every action
through " territon- spectacles," forgetting- that
there are other equally sound explanations.
Nevertheless this book is full of interest and can-
not fail to command attention.

Birds of La Pi..at.\. By \\\ H. Hudson. \'ol. 1,
pp. xvii + 244, 12 pis.; vol. ii, pp. ix. -I-
240, 1 1 pJs. London : J. M. Dent & Sons,
Ltd. [1920]. Price £1 17s. 6d. net.

The many students of bird-life who possess Mr.
Hudson's other works will welcome these two
beautifullv printed and illustrated volumes. The
matter contained therein is taken from an
earlier work, Argentine Oniitliologv. published in
1888-9.

The majority of species mentioned are known
to most British ornithologists by their names
only, it is therefore interesting to learn something-
of their habits and the comparisons with our own
species. Mr. Hudson gives a long and excel-
lent account of the parasitical Cow-bird, discuss-

ing-, with man\ original observations, the mis-
takes and imperfections of the procreant instinct
of the species, the advantages it possesses over
its ikipes, the diversity in the colour of the eggs,
the habits of the young, and conjectures as to the
origin of the parasitic instinct. In a like manner
he gives us a wealth of information about the
various species of Tyrant birds, the Oven-birds,
a singing Kingfisher, the Burrowing-Owl, the
Common Carrion Hawk, various Herons, Ducks,
Rails, Plovers, Tinamu's, etc.

Whoever, like the author, loves living birds,
and is interested in their ways and habits, will
find in these two volumes material of more than
passing interest, for apart from the originality
of the text it is written as only Mr. Hudson can
write on the realm of bird-life.

The illustrations by Mr. H. Cronvold are beau-
tiful, indeed these are two very charming volumes
whiiii \\-ill well repav perusal.

DisEASKS oi' Domesticated Birds. By .\. R.
Ward and B. .A. Gallagher. I'p. xii + 333,
69 figs. New York : The .Macnilllan Coni-
pany, 1920. Price 21s.
To all who desire an authoritative work on the
diseases of domesticated birds — poultry, geese
and ducks, turkevs, pigeons, cag-e-birds and
ostriches — we can thoroughly recommend this
excellent treatise, for apart from the high qualifi-
cations and long experience of its authors, which
lead us to expect much, it is written in such a
style that all who have to do with domesticated
birds can turn to it and find a masterly and thor-
oughlv practical treatment of the various diseases
to which they are liable.

Most works of this nature are overburdened
with technical terms and illustrations, the latter
of verv little value to the reader. These two
features are, we are pleased to note, absent in
the present instance. The descriptive matter,
given under the headings — characterization, eti-
ology, pathogenicity, mortality, symptoms, mor-
bid anatomy, course of disease, diagnosis, treat-
ment and prevention — is terse yet lucid, practical,
and up-to-date. Not the least valuable feature
of this work is the excellent and useful series of
references, after the account of each disease,
parasite, etc., including, as thev do, upwards of
three hundred titles.

The chapter treating of the infections diseases
of canarv birds will applv to cage-birds generally,
riiere is a most interesting chapter on toxicology
and a good index.

Manv of the diseases of domesticated birds can

JOUUVAI, <1I- TIIK Will) HIKD 1\\KSTI( ; ATIOV SOCIETY.

6 1

be prevented, others eontrolled, aiul a work of
this kind in the hands of any intelli<^ent student
will be the means of eliminating; manv miscon-
ceptions and emphasisini^ those thins^sw hich must
be observed, if health has to be maintained. In
short, it is a volume of indispensable value.

of print. Moreover, il will appeal to a new
generation of individuals w ho prefer a living- bird
to a lifeless stuffed one. The author is rather
severe on museums and taxidermists, and whilst
he may fully appreciate all the sights and sounds
of nature, at times we are led to think that for

?»^-

l^^ji^a-

STONK ClRr.KW'S K<'.G AND CulCK.
{From Co:oard's " Birds of the Uritish Isle!-.")

Birds .\xd Man. By W. H. Hudson. Pp. 306,
I pi. London : Duckworth iV Co. 1920.
Price 7s. 6d.
Bird lovers generally w ill welcome a rejirint of

this work, which for several vears has been out

some things he has eyes that see not and ears
that hear not. No one can depict the ever-
changing beauties of a sunset, but we should be
sorry to lose Turner's incomparable pictures.
Mr. Hudson has some hard things to say about

62

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION SOCIETY.

bird collL-ctDis, many ol w hich arc richly deserved,
but in our opinion he takes them too seriously.
Their mission in life seems to be to write local
lists, and to add new species and sub-species to
the British list. The vagaries of nomenclature
also amuse them, and so it comes about that these
people term our common wren Troglodytes trog-
lodytes troglodytes. Should Mr. A. or Mr. B.
find a specimen in which the first or second pri-
maries of the wintj- are half a millimetre longer
than usual, and jierhaps with some of the tail-

are t'oiitcnt to listen to his beautiful descriptions-
and woril pictures.

A GliOGRAFHICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY C)I' BRITISH ORNI-
THOLOGY from the earliest times to the end of
1918. By W. H. Mullens, H. Kirke Swann,
and the Rev. F. C. I^. Jourdain. Pt. 3, pp.
193-288; Pt. 4, pp. 289-384; Pt. 5, pp. 385-
480; Pt. 6, pp. viii + 481-^58. London :
Witherby &: Co.
riir further parts of this valuable publication)

mai.k Greue on Nest.

coverts a shade, or half a shade, lighter or darker,
then \vc suppose another troglodytes will be
added. It would perhaps be simpler to write
Troglodytes'. Personally we refuse to regard
these people seriously or as representative of
British ornithologists.

Leaving controversial matters, which Mr.
Hudson does not handle well, our author is seen
at his best in the chapters on the wood wren at
Wells, the secret of the willow wren, owls in a
villag-e, geese, and the Dartford warbler. Here
we have the naturalist depicting nature, and we

fully bear out the high opinion we formed of it
after a perusal of Parts i and 2. No ornithologist
can afford to be without a copy, and every
Natural History Society should secure one for its
librarv. The beginner who consults its pag'es
will ha\c before him a complete list of what
]3revious workers have written upon the birds of
the countv or district in which he may be inter-
ested. He will thus commence with a knowledge
which has hitherto been difficult and laborious to
obtain.

The authors are lo be congratulated on the

j(ii-u\Ai. (11- nil-:

Wll.n KIKl) l.WKSTKiA'llOX SOriKlV.

63

completion of a reallv valuable work, and we
venture to throw out the siif;ffeslion that a Sup-
plement at a later dale, iiuorporatint,'^ the records
for 1919, 1920, etc., would he hiijhlv appreciated.

The Heron oi' Casti.i-: Cki:i:k and other .Sketches
of Bird Life. By A. W. Rees. (With a
memoir of the author by j. K. Hudson). I'p.
218 an<l portrait. London: John Murrav,
1920. I'rice 7s. fid. net.
.Alt who are acquainted with those two fascina-

tin<4- volumes on wild life, Jatitc tlie Fisherman

The untimelv decease of the author robs us of
a most faithful recorder, for, unlike many popular
writers, he was intimatelv acquainted with the
facts he described, winch were the outcome of
long and patient obser\ation.

Tin; Birds oi- rHK BRirisH Isucs A\rj their Eggs.
B\ r. .\. Coward. First Series. Pp. vii +
376, 159 pis. Second .Series. Pp. vii + 367,
159 pis. London: Frederick Warne &• Co.,
Ltd. ii)20. Price 12s. fid. net per vol.
.\ popular account of our native wild birds and

-^ ' i

MOORHEN— MaLK CH.ASrxC, KRMAI.K.

and Creatures of the .\'if,'lit. will turn to this book
with threat expectations, and few will be dis-
appointed, for of the many works on wild bird
life this may easily claim the first jjlace. In style
:uk1 accuracy of detail we question if these essays
;ire matched by any other w riter. Rees was satis-
fied with nothing less than his best, and it is
stamped on every page of this delightful volume.
There is a treat in store for every lover of wild
bird life between the covers of this book which
IS but seldom obtainable. It is engrossing read-
ing throughout, coupled with a charm and sym-
pathy that f(»\v will be able to resist.

their eggs, published at a rt^asonable price, has
attractions for a wide circle of readers, and to
such .Mr. Coward's work will undoubtedly make
a strong appeal. .Moreoxer, when such a w'ork
is well illustrated its \alue is greatly enhanced.

The work before us fulfils all the above
demands, indeed the illustrations are distinctly
above the average, both the coloured ones and
I he process blocks, with perhaps a slight flaw in
those of the eggs w'hich has somew^hat distorted
a few ]3lates.

.Many ornilhologisls we know will (|uestion
whelhiT there is room or the demand for another

64

JOCRN'Al. OF THI-; Wll I) BIRD INVESTIGATION SOCIETY.

work on the birds ol thr Hiitisli Isles, unless It
supplements, corrects, or in some wjiy improves
the information we already possess, and whilst
we fail to see that the author has added much
to our knowledge, he has presented the account
of our wild bird fauna with a freshness and
lucidity that is not infrequently absent in works
of this kind, and this alone will commend it to
a large and growing number of students.

To our mind it scarcely seems necessary to
waste valuable space on biiel notes on the CItril
Finch, the Black Lark, the Sardinian Warbler
and many other rare visitors. Had these been
omitted much fuller information might have been
given on the habits, etc., of commoner species,
which in not a few instances is meagre.

Overlooking such minor matters we wekonie
these two little volumes, for they can scarcely
fail to arouse an intelligent interest in their pos-
sessor where hitherto a desultory indifference has
prevailed, and we do not hesitate to recommend
them to the large number of our members who
are commencing- the stud\ of our British wild
birds and their eggs.

Through the kindness of the publishers we are
able to reproduce a few of the uncoloured figures
which speak for themselves.

Transactions or the Norfolk and Norwich
Naturalists' Society. 1918-19, vol. x, pt.
V. 1Q20, pp. xiii + 397 — 506 + xvii. Edited
by the Hon. Secretary. Norwich, 1920.

There are few local or county Natural History
Societies that can look back on a fifty years'
record of such excellent and high standing work
as the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society.
In the study of ornithology the members of this
society have al\\ays been regarded as one of the
foremost organizations in the United Kingdom,
and with such names as those of John H. Gurney,
Ivobert Gurnev and other members of this family,
Dr. Sydney H. Long, A. H. Patterson, C. B.
Ticehurst, O. \'. .Aplin, Miss E. L. Turner, and
many others in their midst, this is not surprising.

The present part of the Transactions is a most
interesting number. j\lr. Robert Gurney 's article
on the Breeding Stations of the Black-headed
Gull in the British Isles will be welcomed by all
who take an interest in wild bird life, as also Mr.
J. H. Gurney's short account of the status and
breeding habits of the Shoveller Duclc. Interest-
ing bird notes are contributed bv Mr. .\. II.
Patterson, Dr. S. H. Long and Mr. H. B.
Riviere.

.\ Synoptical List ov the Accipitres (Diurna!
Birds of Prey). By H. Kirke Swann. Pt.
I\', pp. 115-164, title page and index. Lon-
don : John W'heldon & Co. 1920. Price 4s,

The present pari, which brings to a conclusion
this List, treats of the Falconinae and Pandiones,
and contains an index to all the genera enumer-
ated in the work.

Baxter, E. \'. & Rintoi l, J^. J. — The \Mdgeon
as a Scottish Breeding- Species. Scot. Nat.,
1920, pp. 33-42.

Blackwood, G. G. — Notes on the Breeding
Habits of the Dotterel (Eudrotnias morin-
elliis) in Scothuui. Ibid., pp. 185-194.

Clarke, W. Eagi.k. — The Attempted Breeding of
the Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) in Mid-
lothian. Ibid., pp. 151-153.

CoLLiNGE, Walter E. — Swan Laws and Swan
Marks. Country Life, 1920 (Mch. 27), pp.
cxxii, cxxiii, figs.

Sea-birds : Their Relation to the Fish-
eries and Agriculture. Nature, 1920 (Apl. 8),
PP- 172, 173- I %•

The Plun-iage Bill and Bird Protection.

Ibid. (."^pl. 15), pp. 196, 197.

The Tern and the Scottish Fisheries

Committee. Country Life, 1920 (May 8),
p. 636.

On the Proposed new Subspecies of the

Little Owl {Carine noctua, Scopoli). Scot.
Nat., 1920, pp. 69, 70.
The Rook : Its relation to the Farmer,

Fruit Grower and Forester. Journ. Minis.
.^gric. , 1920, \o\. xxvii, pp. 868-875, 4 ^g'-'^-
On the Economic Status of the King-

fisher (Alcedo ispida, Linn.). The Ibis, 1921

(s. xi), pp. 139-150, I fig.
Fkildex, H. W. — Breeding of the Knot in Gren-

nell Land. Brit. Birds, 1920, pp. 278-282,

3 figs-
Gordon, Seton. — The Nesting of the Storm

Petrel. Country Life, 1Q20 (May 15), pp-

65.V65.S. .S fi.sis-

Journal of iiik wild bikii invi;stigation society.

65

GuKNliv, J. H. — Ornilliulo^ical Nules hoiii Nor-
folk U)v H)i</. 15ril. Birds, igjo, pp. 250-
268.

.StaUis and Hrfciliiii^ llabils ol tlir

.Shu\elk-r Duck. Irans. Norfolk and Nor-
wich Nat. .Sue, 1920, vol. X, pp. 476, 477.

(lUK.NEY, Robert. — Breeding Stations of the
Black-headed Gull in the British Isles. Ibid.,
pp. 416-447, pi. i-v.

The Black-headed dull. Country Lite,

1920, pp. 438, 439, 2 fitjs.

HuuGKiN", Catherine & T. E. — The Breeding of

the Brambling in Scotland. Scot. Nat., 1920,
pp. 181, 182.

Ingram, C. — A Contribution to the Stud) of Nest-
ling Birds. The Ibis, 1920 (s. xi), vol. ii, pp.
856-880, 17 figs.

LoNu, S. H. &: I-liviERE, B. B. — Fauna and Flora
of Norfolk, Birds. Trans. Norfolk and Nor-
wich Nat. Soc, 1920, vol. X, pp. 499-503.

.M.VBbOTTj D. C. — Food Habits of Seven Species
of American Shoal-Water Uucks. U.S.
Dept. Agric. , Bull. No. 862, 1920, pp. 1-67,
pis. i-vii.

Patterso.v, A. H. — Some Bird Notes from Great
\'armouth. I'rans. Norfolk and Norwich
Nat. Soc, 1920, vol. X, pp. 494-498.

I'eteks, J. F. — The Food of the Peregrine Fal-
con. Brit. Birds, 1920, p. 158.

I'ETnTT, E. E. — The Reed Warbler. The Field,
1920, pp. 691, 692, 3 figs.

Pycraft, W. p. — Some Neglected .\spects in the
Study of \ oung Birds. Trans. Norfolk and
Norwich Nat. Soc, 1920, vol. x, pp. 408-
416.

riCEHURST, N. F. — A Contribution to Swan His-
tory. Brit. Birds, 1921, pp. 176-179.

Wood, Casey .V. — The Eyes of the Burrowing
Owl. Contr. Med. and Biol. Res., 1919, pp.
818-823, I pi.

Kay, .M..\., U.U., Aub\n Wilson, Harold C.
Wilson.

Assockite : .Miss E. R. BLirnett, .Miss Hunting-
ton, Mrs. Janet B. Robertson, Miss E. M.
Sherriff, Thos. A. Buncie, C. II. (iuild, Robert
Robertson.

THE JOURNAL FUND.

I'he following donations have been received
since the issue of our last number : —

£ s. d.

" B " 330

Philip .M. Boase, Esq. . .220

.Alexander Cuthbertson, Esq. 2 6

H. B. P'owler, Esq. .100

C. Bayne Meldrum, Esq. . 9 o

Dr. J.' Hunter P. Paton . . 10 6

J. Rennie, Esq. . . . 10 o

Rev. A. D. Sloan, D.D. .100

E. G. Wheler-Galton, Esq. .500

FORMATION EXPENSES.

We acknowledge with manv thanks the follow-
ing further contributions : —

£ s. d.
H. B. I^owler, Esq. .100

Dr. F. G. Penrose, list|. (2ntl

I'ontribution) . . .100

1 he outstanding balance is now reduced t<j
£G 15s. 7d.

THE GENERAL MEETING.

.Much as we desire it, and necessary as it is,
there is much to be said for deferring the General
Meeting. With the present high railway fares
such a meeting would scarcely be a large one,
whilst the high cost of printing and postage
would mean a large expenditure which might be
laid out to better advantage. The gradual
increase of our membership is a very hopeful
sign, and from the communications received
members seem agreed that it would be better to
(|uietly work on until we can arrange for a really
successful and representative meeting.

%

•^f(f:r--fi>^

^

NOTICES to MEMBERS.

--;$>^

%

NEW MEMBERS.

We extend a hearty welcome to the following
new members : —

Ordinary : George Beveridge, .Mrs. Mary
Innes, Miss J. Millar, the Rev. Professor D. M'.

Members can obtain one or more extra copies
of this or any issues of tlie Journal from the
Secretary by sending 12 stamps for each copy
required.

" There is no subject in the field of natural
science that is of greater interest than the impor-
tant position that the lixing bird occupies in the
great plan of organic nature." — E. H. Forbush.

66

JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD IXVESTU.ATION SOCIETY.

" The chaffinch in East London, with its eye-
balls seared by red-hot needles, sings too in its
prison, when it has grown accustomed to its
darkened existence, and is in health ; but no per-
son, not even the dullest ruffian amongst the
baser sort of bird-fanciers, would maintain for a
moment that the happiness of the little sightless
captive, whether vocal or silent, is at all compar-
able in degree to that of the chalhnch singing in
April ' on the orchard bough," vividly seeing the
wide sunlit world, blue above and green below,
possessing the will and the power, when its lyric
ends, to transport itself swiftly through the crj-s-
tal fields of air to other trees and other woods."
— \V. H. Hudson.

" While the lark soars, circling, imo the sky,
his carol is a loud, bubbling trill, instinct with
vigorous health, free movement, and utter de-
light— an evident challenge to sorrow and pain.
The phrasing lengthens when he attains the
zenith of his flight, and as the bird descends his
song changes and becomes plaintive, pleading,
questioning, till, as he drops with shut wings to
the earth, it ends with two or three notes the
most passionate and beautiful of all. It were vain
to attempt an interpretation of the skylark's
carol, for it cannot be compared w ith the outcome
of any emotion felt in the human heart. But it
is, nevertheless, akin to something that strives
within us for utterance." — A. W. Rees.

DULAU & COMPANY, LTD.

THE

FOOD OF SOME BRITISH WILD BIRDS

A STUDY IN ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY

By WALTER H. COLLINGB, ALSc, F.L.S.

Svo Clotli gilt. Pp vii + 109. Price 4t.iiet.

The Auk. — " AW in all this is the hest haiulhook of the food of British Birds in existence and
should be in the hands of everyone who desires reliable information on economic
ornithology in this particular field."

The Times. — " Mr. Collinge has done some useful work in helping to rescue from the region of
guesswork the question of tiie food of birds whose presence has special interest for
the farmer."

Nature. — " Mv. Collinge has done a very useful piece of work and has done his work carefully.
We hope this book will pass through many editions, anti gain in strength as it grows —
incorporating new data and extending its scope."

DULAU & COMPANY, Ltd , 34-36, Margaret Street, London, W.I

THE AVIGULTURAL MAGAZINE

FOR THE STUDY OF

BRITISH AND FOREIGN CAGE BIRDS.

The IVIa.gf»zine for Beginners.

Offers :—

(i.) Articles and notes on bird-keeping by experienced writers.

(ii ) Illustrations of rare or interesting cage-birds,

(iii.) Reviews of interesting books on birds.

(Iv.) A correspondence column dealing with bird-keeping.

The Magazine is seiu tree, monthly, to Members of the Avicultural Society.
Entrance Fee, 10s. 6d. : Annual Subscription, £]. Further information from the
Editor. Dr. Graham Kf.nshaw. Sale. nr. Manchestkk. Telephone III Sale.

SCALE OF CHARGES FOR ADVERTISEMENTS

IN

THE JOURNAL OF THE WILD BIRD INVESTIGATION SOCIETY.

1

Inseption.

2

Insertions.

4

Insertions.

1 Page per insertion

{QX X 8I2)

4

10

0

4

5

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4

0 0

K „

i<o}i X4I4)

2

12

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In column, per incli

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An extra charge will be made for special positions.

ALL ORDERS AND COPY SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE EDITOR.

The Food of Sea=birds.

Dr. Collinge would welcome and gratefully
acknowledge any information, references or
reports as to the diminution of fish thought
to be due to sea-birds, or as to the destruction
of smolts or trout fry ; also views expressed
by any breeders, societies, etc.

Specimens of any of our commoner sea-
birds are required from different localities.
These will be purchased, the cost of postage
defrayed, and address labels supplied. For
further particulars apply —

Dr. Collinge, The University, St. Andrews.

The Food of the Little Owl.

For some time past an investigation on the
food and feeding habits of the Little Owl has
been in progress. In order to complete this
work we are desirous of obtaining further
examples from the 36 English Counties from
which this species has been recorded, or
elsewhere.

We shall be pleased to forward address
labels, and to defray the cost of postage, to
all who are willing to assist.

All communications should be addressed to
Dr. Collinge, The University, St. Andrews.

I'lnit'Sit by Cnrfrs & tteiniiit.h, Ltd.. Covetiiiy.

o
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AMNH LIBRARY

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