218 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. xv. 



On the other hand, of eleven Starhngs ringed in December, not one 

 was recaptured. 



A point that has interested me is the number of individual birds that 

 come to the garden ; one sees a couple of Robins and an occasional 

 Blackbird, Song-Thrush or Chaffinch, and is apt to think that each 

 species is only represented by two or three birds. My records, however, 

 for the winter 1916-17 included 21 Blackbirds, 13 Song-Thrushes, 

 II Robins and 8 Chaffinches. 



Another incident that pleased me was that a Starling ringed in 

 February was found nesting about a mile away later in the year ; and 

 — though I made no note of it — I am sure I have seen Starlings nesting 

 in the immediate neighbourhood bearing rings which they had doubtless 

 received at my hands in winter. 



The points I have mentioned are perhaps trivial, but they have given 

 mc pleasure, and I have ventured to bring them forward in the hope of 

 inducing others .situated as I am to add to the number of ringed birds. 



Charles F. Archibald. 



Sirs, — I should like to be allowed to associate myself with the 

 observations on the above scheme contained in Mr. R. O. Blyth's letter 

 in the January number. 



The deductions and suggestions which are put forward by Dr. 

 Landsborough Thomson in his Critical Note are scientifically so true 

 and are based on such wide experience that it would be impertinent, 

 at any rate on the part of such a mere amateur as I, to attempt to 

 dispute them. But one of the chief attractions of the British Birds 

 Marking Scheme is the unfettered choice which the ringer is allowed 

 in his selection of birds for marking purposes. 



I think most ringers have a predilection for certain birds ; but 

 definitely to restrict this choice would, as Mr. Blyth points out, cause 

 a very marked diminution of interest in the scheme, though there is 

 no reason why special ringing should not be authoritatively encouraged. 



Mr. Blyth pertinently emphasises the real means of obtaining the 

 fullest success, i.e., by making the scheme popular, which in this case 

 is synonymous with arousing interest. 



One's own experience is that the interest of others is easily secured, 

 and the scheme is becoming more widely known. I do not know if 

 the percentage of rings recovered is higher than it was ; but I do know 

 from my own experience that the knowledge that birds are ringed is 

 much more general than it was, and that owners are not nearly so 

 reluctant to grant permission for a ringer to search their grounds for 

 nests, and are not so ready to regard a devotee of the ringing hobby as 

 a lunatic. Nor when a ringed bird has been shot or caught in a mouse- 

 trap are people so liable to hush up the record for fear that someone's 

 escaped pet bird has been killed. 



Some time ago Dr. H. J. Moon (antea, Vol. XIII., p. 97) contributed 

 some suggestions on ways of arousing interest in the Marking Scheme, 

 and there are dozens of such ways. But the point I would enforce is 

 that the returns of marked birds are likely to be more numerous the 

 further the interest in the scheme is spread and the more widely the 

 infectious fever of ringing is communicated. Special, as opposed to 

 promiscuous, ringing would necessarily limit the areas in which ringing 

 could be practised, and would inevitably tend to reduce the number of 

 ringers and consequently the interest in, and success of, the Marking 

 Scheme. A. Mayall. 



Eton, Windsor, Jan ^rd, 1922. 



