let nature alone, lie would find the balance perfedt, but lie interferes every-

where and makes a mess of it."


L would venture to put the question, " Is not man a part of

" Nature " ? Dr. Gatke remarks that man can affect birds in a very slight

way directly ; that species are exterminated by the destruction of their

breeding-haunts by cultivation, &c. Is man to return to a nomadic life in

order not to disturb the balance of nature ? The rabbit became a pest in

Australia through nature. If man was not to introduce the i-abbit there,

we must also ask him not to cultivate wheat, &c. It seems to me we must

accept man, and consequently man's interference, as part of the whole

design.


I must say ni)' experience of rearing L,innets by hand, is that they are

one of the easiest birds to rear, and are very healthy, but, like sparrows,

they are not very tame after they are reared. Still, I should always recom-

mend anyone who wants to keep a Linnet, to rear it by hand.


F. G. Button.



BRITISH BIRD-CALLS.


Sir, — A short time ago I heard a bird-call which I did not recognise;

beyond remembering that I had read of it a few days previously. I

searched the book in which I had seen it, without success, and the identity

of the bird remains undecided. I thought, " Oh, for a list of bird-calls,

arranged alphabetically, so that any call, which may be heard, can be found

at once ! " I did not let the matter rest here, and have collected the recorded

calls of more than 200 British Birds. Now, I seek the aid of the avicul-

turists, especially those who keep British Birds, both in supplying

omitted calls and in amending those which appear to be erroneously given.


My list, as far as it has gone, is now in the press, and will probably

be received ere this letter appears. I shall be pleased to send copies to all

members who will send me a post-card signifying their desire that I

should do so.


Chas. Louis Hett.



THE GUTTURAL FINCH.


Sir, — I am surprised to note, in this number of the AvicuUiiral

Magazine, that this species is regarded, by a gentleman usually expert in

keeping delicate birds, as by no means hardy.


About tlii-ee years ago I purchased a pair of Guttural Finches and

turned them into one of my bird-room aviaries ; again, in 1896, I bought a

pair which I turned into my largest cool aviary. None of these birds have

ever had the slightest ailment or given me the slightest cause for anxiety:

they are very inoffensive, only swearing when disturbed at meals by other

birds, and the males sing almost as well as the White-throated Finch.


A. G. BuTi^EK.



