1903 Correspondence 273 



The Language of Birds. — "Mr. E. Kay Robinson's striking paper 

 on this subject deserves a response from everyone who can add even 

 the smallest particular to the facts given. The 'croak' of the nightin- 

 gale, I think, deserves notice among the various cries. This denotes 

 alarm, perhaps indignation, and may be a signal to the female when 

 sitting. The woodpecker also hisses when found sitting on the nest. 

 The scolding 'churr'of the wren is also perhaps worth mentioning."— 

 Reginald Haines. 



Wood-Pigeons in Loudon. — "A somewhat remarkable instance of 

 wild birds breeding within the City of London is afforded by the wood- 

 pigeons of Soho Square. I am informed by a gentleman whose business 

 takes him daily to the neighbourhood of the square, that this year three 

 birds have frequented the trees in the centre garden. One of them 1 

 have myself seen. Neither this year nor last year, however, have there 

 been any nests discoverable. But in 1901 one nest was to be seen in 

 the square, while in 1897 no less than six could be counted. For a bird 

 ordinarily so shy as the wood-pigeon to breed, not merely in London, 

 but within a literal stone's-throw from the turbulent corner where Oxford 

 Street, Tottenham Court Road, and Charing Cross Road meet, is surely 

 somewhat uncommon." — A. E. JOHNSON, London. 



The Natural Attitude of Puffins. — " I read with much interest the 

 remarks on the position of the puffins as shown in my photos (see last 

 issue of the F.N. Q.), and so far as I could judge the birds showed no 

 sign of anything except curiosity at the time, certainly nothing of alarm. 

 I enclose three other photos taken about the same place for your inspec- 

 tion. I think you will agree with me that out of the six birds in the 

 one photo, five are certainly clear of their tails and standing as my 

 other photo represented them. The solitary bird has a good use of its 

 legs also. I trust these may be of further interest." — THOMAS Tait, 

 Inverurie. 



[We quite agree that the photos show the birds as Mr. Tait 

 describes. The point is of much interest. — En. F. N. Q.] 



"As you invite correspondence from those who have observed these 

 birds in nature, I venture to send you some photographs taken by myself 

 with a telephoto lens on Ailsa Craig, the birds being at such a distance 

 from the camera as to be at ease. 



" I am of opinion that the puffin does not as a rule, or even often, sit 

 in an upright position, as represented in many plates, with the metarsal 

 bones resting on the ground (like the razorbill and the guillemot), but 

 either stands, or rests, in the ordinary bird fashion, as in my photo- 

 graphs. I send also an enlarged photograph of razorbills and 

 guillemots, which shows this upright position of the birds very well." 

 Rev. H. Holroyd Mills, M.B.O.U., Trelothan, Cornwall. 



[The photos bear out what Mr. Mills states.— Ed. F. A t . 0.\ 



vol. II. — no. 7. S 



