348 
BEARDED TITS AT HORNSEA. 
OuR usually quiet and unobtrusive contemporary, British 
Birds, breaks into a mild attack of hysteria in the issue for 
September Ist, though possibly in view of this particular date 
there may be some excuse for British Birds! In an article 
signed ‘The Editors’* an extraordinary and unexpected 
attack is made upon Mr. W. H. St. Quintin for his attempt to 
introduce the Bearded Tit at Hornsea Mere.t This bird is 
perfectly harmless: it will not eat the fish in the Mere; it 
will not interfere with the h-ronry ; it is not likely to kill off 
the grebes or the swans, and the sea-fishermen have no reason 
to complain of its ravages. The few insects and wild seeds 
that it devours will not be missed ; if, indeed, they will not 
be. better lost.. On the other hand, the appearance of this 
beautiful and most interesting little songster will give an 
added charm to this famous bird sanctuary, and will delight 
the hearts of naturalists, and’ any others who appreciate their 
natural surroundings. 
But British Birds will have none of it. It is recorded * with 
great regret, that Mr. W. H. St. Quintin has been at great 
pains to introduce Bearded Tits at Hornsea Mere .. ... This 
passion for interfering with Nature possessed by aviculturalists 
[sic] is likely to do serious harm to the scientific study of 
ornithology, and is, in its way, almost as bad as the destruction 
of rare breeding birds and their eggs by those afflicted with the 
‘‘ British-taken ’’ mania.’ These statements and comparisons, 
of course, are pure piffle.. There is absolutely no connection 
between them ; and the introduction of the Bearded Tits at 
Hornsea no more‘ interferes with Nature ’ than the appearance 
of British. Birds interfered with the other natural history 
journals already existing. Both British Birds and the Hornsea 
Bearded Tits are welcome; both are likely to do good, if 
properly looked after, and although Mr. St. Quintin is dubbed 
an ‘ aviculturist,’ he is in addition a first rate zoologist and 
naturalist, and is as interested in the scientific study of orni- 
thology as are many who profess to be looking after the interests 
of British birds. - . 
‘The Editors’ go on to say that ‘this introduction of 
Bearded Tits from the Continent is nearly as bad as the attempt 
to introduce Willow Grouse ; and it can only be hoped that 
Mr. St. Quintin’s aliens will be banished in some way or other 
. we trust these imported birds will follow their hereditary 
instincts, and that they will not return.’ Again, of course, 
there is no comparison between the Bearded Tits and the 
*7.e., H, F, Witherby ; assisted by F. C. R. Jourdain and Nu, Tice- 
hurst. et iso 
+ See ‘The Naturalist’, Aug. 1911, pp. 279-280. 
Naturalist». 
