Correspondence.



219



My own experience is somewhat at variance with that quoted by the

talented author, for I have recently observed the male of a pair of Hill Tits in

my possession vigorously hammering at a piece of fibre held between the claws of

one foot; whilst as I write these notes, both the male and female—separately

caged—are each engaged in tearing piecemeal at a soaked currant held in a

similar manner—the cock on the floor of his cage, and the hen on her perch.

Those who have studied the habits of our British Titmice will, no doubt, be

familiar with this characteristic method of “negotiating” a more than usually

tough morsel.


If I may be permitted to mention yet another peculiarity in the behaviour

of my Hill Tits, it is the curious habit they have of occasionally throwing back

their heads whilst on the perch—often to such an extent as to overbalance

themselves and fall fluttering to the ground. I do not remember to have seen

this recorded as characteristic of this species, but from a note which appears in

the excellent little work on Bird-keeping by C. E. Dyson, published in 1878, it

appears that the habit was observed in the early days of its importation. The

author writes—' 1 It (the Hill Tit) has only been known in England a very little

while. Some birds brought from China died in their voyage before they reached

the Cape, from being fed improperly, entirely on seed, with the exception of a

few flies caught in the cabin each day. They were known onboard as Tumblers,

from a curious habit of falling backwards from their perch and alighting on their

legs, but I have not heard of this as common to others of the species, so it may

have been due to giddiness or weakness from want of nourishing food.”


The cause here suggested certainly does not apply to my birds, which are

in perfect health and condition. A. A. GOODALL.


NOTES FROM BENHAM VALENCE [BERKS].


One pair of Black-necked Swans hatched out five young ones on the 1st of

April. Another pair had their first egg on the same day.


* * *


Eleven semi-wild Mute Swans come to and leave the lake regularly, some¬

times passing the whole day there, and then all rising on the wing together towards

sunset, wending their way ‘ en masse ’ up the Kennet Valley to pastures new.

They travel at a great rate when flying, certainly faster than a train.


*


The first Sand Martins were seen on the 17th of March, and the first

Nightingale was heard on Easter Day. the 27th.


* # *


Mr. ASTLEY’S pair of Chestnut-breasted Blue Rock Thrushes (Petrocincla

erythrogastra) underwent a complete vernal moult, commencing in the middle of

March, including the tail and certainly the secondaries of the wings. The

European Rock Thrush (P. saxatilis) has a vernal moult, but does not change the



