Proposed General Index.



153



YEW AND BOX TREES.


The following letter u>as forzvarded to Mrs. Gregory in answer to an


enquiry:


The yew is delightful for insectivorous birds, and birds that do not

touch it, but please note that it is a deadly poison to birds that partake of it.

Perhaps a lopped or dead bough may be more poisonous than a living one,

but death lurks in the yew tree. Of course I do not say that the Cranes will

eat it. If they do not, all well. A loaded gun left lying about is all right if

not meddled with—but sometimes it goes off! ! !


The box is quite different. It is not poisonous I suppose, but badly

disarranges the stomach. I have had many box trees in my aviary, and the

birds did not seem to touch them as far as I remember. Anyway, I have

never heard of a bird being Imrt by a box tree in an open aviary where

they have other things to nibble at. In your large garden, I should not

hesitate to plant the box border, as probably the Cranes would not pick it.

But, all the same, I should watch.


Reginald Phieeipps.



PROPOSED GENERAL INDEX.



It has been suggested that a General Index to the first

eight volumes of the Avicultural Magazine is much needed, and

would be highly appreciated by many of our members. It is

very trying, when one wishes to look up a certain subject, to

have to wade through the eight volumes, in some of which the

indices are not very complete. An index to the whole of the

volumes would save much time, and is, we think, unquestionably

needed. But the preparation and production of such a work

would entail considerable expense, and the Society would not be

justified in issuing it unless, say, one hundred members would

subscribe. The price per copy would have to be fixed at 6 s.

to members, and 10s. to non-members. The Editor would be

glad to hear from all members who would be willing to

subscribe for a copy in the event of a General Index being

published ; only a limited number would be printed.



