72



The description of the habits of the Blue-throat, although

in the main exact, does not really convey a correct idea of its

ways. Of course we have not had such an early opportunity

of watching it as the late Mr. Seebohm, nor have we seen it on

migration as Herr Gatke has ; but in the middle of summer had

we not seen a shadow* that kept disappearing in the willow scrub,

or frequently recognised a note not unlike the “ chack-chack ” of

the Robin, we should never have been aware of the presence of

this beautiful warbler. This bird is always to be found near a

marsh—vdiat spot on the fjelds of Norway does not answer to

that description ? It is always heard on dry spots among short

scrub, though hardly ever among trees.


In criticism of the most interesting article on the Night¬

ingale, we have but little to say. No mention is made of the

“ churr churr” which is the welcome sign of the successful

hatching of a brood. The fact of its nesting at some distance

from the ground is more common than is generally supposed.

A nest was taken in 1894, built in a bush growing against a

paling, fully 8 feet from the ground. We don’t approve of hand¬

rearing members of this family ; they are much nicer as pets

if caught in spring, before the arrival of the females, and when so

caught will generally sing at once and continue throughout

the summer. Should anyone attempt hand-rearing, one of the

best foods is fresh wasp grubs, if they can be procured at the

right time ; we wonder Dr. Butler has made no mention of them.


We heartily re-echo Dr. Butler’s sentiments when he states,

with reference to the Barred Warbler, “ It seems a thousand

pities that these rare birds should not be captured alive [or left

alone] and their habits in captivity studied in detail. All that

can be learnt from the stuffed skin of a Barred Warbler has

either long been known or can be equally well studied from

skins already in our cabinets ; but really to know something of

the nature and peculiarities of a bird, it must be studied, not

only flying freely in its native home, but in a good sized aviary.”

It is precisely these notes on their habits in captivity, written,

as they are, by one who knows those habits so well, that renders

this portion of the book unique and well worthy of a place in

every naturalist’s library, be he a scientist or a fancier. Dr.

Butler shows clearly that the science of aviculture (for it is

indeed a science) is just as important to the study of ornithology

as other branches of the subject, and a book such as the present

tends to do much good in bringing the subjects into closer

relation with each other.



