CORRESPONDENCE.



WHAT IS A BRITISH BIRD ?


Sir, — There seems to be much difference of opinion amongst both

ornithologists and aviculturists as to what really constitutes a British bird.


Dr. Butler, writing in the Magazine for March, 1S95, in a report of

the birds at the Costal Palace Show, referring to the Mealy Redpoll being'

exhibited in a class for British birds, says “ The Mealies carried the prizes,

the English birds being only represented by two or three recentty-caught

examples. By-the-wav, should birds which do not breed in Great Britain

be admitted ? ” Now, with all respect to so high an authority, I think it

would be a most unfair rule to exclude from our list of native birds all

which do not breed in this country — such well-known birds as the Field¬

fare, Grey Shrike, Mealy Redpoll, and Jack Snipe would have to go;

while many strangers, such as the Sand Grouse (which, though occurring

each time in great numbers, has only paid us three visits in half-a-century)

would be included. I possess two clutches of eggs of this species, taken by

my late brother in Yorkshire, and the young having been found in Moray,

the fadt of their nesting in this country is placed beyond doubt.


At exhibitions of cage birds great confusion exists, and in the

British bird classes at the Crystal Palace Show I have noticed a bird

passed as foreign one year and a prize-winner the next ; such birds as the

Bearded Tit and Waxwing causing much trouble.


It would be well if the promoters of Cage Bird Shows could be

induced to follow the example of the last show at Brighton, and give a list

of the birds eligible to compete in each division ; and probably it would be

beneficial if the opinion of the Avicultural Society were given in the

matter, and, if possible, a rule passed as to what should be the status of a

British bird as recognised by them. The only definition of a British bird

which I have read, and which in my humble opinion is logical, is “A bird

which has at least once been taken in a truly wild state in this country ; ”

and if even this rule were accepted we should find authorities differ : for

instance, Seebohm includes in his magnificent work the Canary Finch,

this being omitted by Howard Saunders, Yarrell, and others; but the diffi¬

culty might, perhaps, be met by agreeing to accept any bird as British

which is so described by any one of three or four chosen writers.


While it may be a difficult task to describe what really constitutes a

British bird, I hope the Avicultural Society, which studies both British and

foreign birds, will at least endeavour to agree upon a definition acceptable

to its members.


George C. Swaiges.


[The question raised by Mr. Swailes is one of great interest, and we

should be glad of the opinion of the members upon it. It ought to be

possible to agree either upon a definition, or upon a list of species].



“AUTHORITIES” AND THEIR CRITICS.


[Further correspondence upon this subject is held over until next

month].



