Correspondence.



39



beginning of the first volume a short resume of both old and modern

views are included. Lists of British Birds are also given, classified

according to their status as migrants, and further chapters on the

Geographic Aspects of British Bird Migration and Weather Influences

complete one of the most full and interesting accounts of Bird

Migration in the British Isles that has hitherto been written.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, &c.



BIRDS AND FRESH AIR.


SIR,—Since writing about the Blue Thrush, which improved so wonder¬

fully in a short time by being in the fresh air, a sequel has proved yet more

strikingly the truth that air means life. I parted with the bird in question to a

home where he was kept indoors, in a room at a window which was not always

open. He only lived a few months, and an autopsy showed that he died of

consumption. I quite believe that he might have lived longer and remained

in health had he been out of doors instead of in.


Another proof was exemplified by my Laughing Kingfishers, supposed to

need much warmth. They enjoyed a cold frosty day thoroughly, and broke the

ice (thin ice) in their bath for a bathe.


But I mentioned this in a notice on these birds—“Jack and Jill” — in a

number of the Magazine in 1911. K. CURREY.



HANGNEST EATING A MOUSE.


SIR,—On June 12th when feeding one of my Hangnests—the example

figured in the volume for 1907—I discovered that a mouse had foolishly entered

the small aviary compartment and had not only been killed by the Hangnest,

but its head had been picked to pieces and devoured. I was aware that this bird

was bloodthirsty from the fact that some years previously it had slaughtered one

bird and seriously mauled a second in the adjoining compartment, but it was

new to me to discover that it would devour what it had killed. Doubtless in

their wild state the Hangnests do not confine their predatory assaults to insects,

but also prey upon small vertebrates. A. G. BUTLER.



BREEDING QUAILS.


I was much interested to see in the Avicultural Magazine that they had

succeeded in breeding the Douglas Quail at the Zoo this season.


I have been similarly successful with the Venezuelan Quail ( squamata )



