96 Correspondence


talons to teach, the young to stoop, without fear of interference from

other aerial robbers. R. I. P.


CORRESPONDENCE


LONG FLIGHTS OF BIRDS

Sirs, — 'On crossing the Atlantic (in March) from Southampton

to New York, on the White Star liner Olympic , my son and I were

daily on the look-out for any sea-birds. Only on one stormy day did

we see a kind of Petrel following the ship for a short distance ; our

nearest land then w r as the Azores, more than 500 miles away.


We have had some very severe storms here (in South-West Texas).

The other day I saw some hundreds of Seagulls, also a large white

Pelican was shot, measuring over 10 feet from tip to tip of wings.

These had been blown inland by the gale ; the nearest sea is some

hundreds of miles away, Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico.


Some time ago four white Swans were secured here, whose breeding

place is in the Arctic Circle.


This part of Texas is quite tropical ; I am staying in the Virgin

Forest for some weeks, at the house of my brother (who is quite a

naturalist). The weather is very hot; for some time past it has been

90 degrees in the shade. This is quite a paradise for birds.


James B. Housden.


San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.


May, 1922.


SUCCESS WITH WATERFOWL

Sirs, — I’ve had over 500 ducks’ eggs so far, but in some cases the

fertility has been very disappointing, notably in Mandarins and

American Wigeon ; most of the Mandarin eggs were fertile but the

germ died at about 10 days’ incubation. However, I have over 100 young

ducks and eggs hatching nearly daily till further notice. Some have

been most persistent; Shoveler, American Wigeon, Spotbill, and some

others have laid three clutches each ! I have forty young Carolinas,

some three-quarter grown, and more eggs to hatch. Cinnamon and

Chestnut-breasts have failed to go to nest so far ; I can’t think why.

Falcated have laid well, but are not off yet. I’ll let you know 7 later full

results. H. Wormald.


9th June, 1922.



