E. G. B. Meade-Waldo—Aviculture and Wild Bird Protection 157



disastrous winter and early spring was very apparent in the nesting-

boxes. We have large numbers in our woods round here. Of course,

the Great Tit and Blue Tit are the predominating species that occupy

them in most years, but in 1917 the Blue Tit was entirely absent

and the Great Tit enormously reduced in numbers. The few that

remained, however, laid very large clutches of eggs. Many laid

fourteen, hatching and rearing all, and some nested again immediately,

rearing a further five or six. The Marsh Tit, which did not suffer from

the hard winter, nested freely in the boxes, laying normal clutches of

seven or eight eggs. It is always a common bird here, but normally

only a small number occupy nesting-boxes. The Blue Tit has now

quite recovered its numbers, and seems to be extraordinarily prolific.

We had several broods of fifteen young this summer. The food supply

these last three years has been unlimited owing to the plague of the

green oak-moth (Tortrix viridana), and all wild birds and game-birds

have greatly benefited.


Most aviculturists have looked upon an abundant and suitable

supply of food as being sufficient to carry most hardy species through

a spell of severe weather. Nevertheless, the Common Bullfinch,

whose food supply cannot well have failed, was one of the greatest

sufferers in that year. They left the woods, came into the gardens,

and died in numbers. We picked up twelve one day on a bed of

Mediterranean heath, and they have not recovered their numbers

yet. Strange to say, the Goldfinch did not suffer at all. Yet the

Northern Bullfinch winters far within the Arctic Circle ! It cannot

have been entirely food supply, or why should the Long-tailed Tit and

Goldcrest have been nearly wiped out ? Their food was there all the

time. I think there is no doubt that the cold and freezing gales

were responsible. In this neighbourhood neither Woodpeckers,

Nuthatches, nor Tree-creepers suffered, and the first seem to

have greatly benefited by the present absence of the Starling as a

breeding species, while the Chaffinch and Goldfinch have replaced

the House-Sparrow.



