Notice of Neiu Books, etc.



65



NOTICE OF NEW BOOKS, ®c.



HOW TO ATTRACT AND PROTECT WILD BIRDS.'"


This little book by Martin Hiesemann, describing Baron yon

Berlepsclr’s system of attracting and protecting birds by means of

the provision of suitable nesting boxes, nesting sites, and feeding

first made its appearance in 1909, when a notice of it appeared in

this journal ( Vol. VI., second series, page 313). So well has it been

received that now a third edition, which has been brought up to date

and enlarged, has appeared. The subject is so fascinating and the

results of the methods described so encouraging that all who are

interested in our wild birds would do well to read it carefully.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, &c.



NESTING OF THE HOODED PARKAKEET.


SIR,—I think I ought to let you know a success which ended with a

disappointment with my Hooded Parrakeets (Psephotus cucullatus).


I had kept two pairs of these beautiful birds several years without any

signs of nesting becoming apparent. One pair lived several years during the

summer in a large aviary in which there is a large hawthorn tree.


In spring, when the tree was full of white flowers, the beautiful blue,

yellow, black and green birds made a delightful show. But here the joy ended.

They lived mostly hidden in the thick foliage and the only thing they did was to

disturb the nests of the little Picui Doves that live in the same aviary.


Last spring I thought I would give the Picui Doves a change of nesting with

success, and put the parrakeets in another aviary in which there was an enclosed

part with glass in front. In this closed part a nesting box was put. During

spring and summer the birds lived their usual retired life, but in September they

began to get very lively, flying about restlessly. Towards the 15th of the month

the female was found to be wanting. The nesting box was examined and there

she was found sitting on four eggs.


Towards the end of October the young ones could be heard and hopes of

a success was high. The cold wet weather became worse and worse and about



* Hoic to Attract and Protect Wild Birds, by MARTIN HIESEMANN, translated by

Emma S. Buchheim, with an introduction by Her Grace the Duchess of Bedford.

London : WlTHERBY & CO., 326, High Holborn, W.C. Price 1/6.



