124



Birds in a Chiswick Garden



within a foot or two of one another. In each case two eggs were laid,

though only one hatched.



BIRDS OF PARADISE ON LITTLE TOBAGO


It is, I understand, a fact that Sir William Ingram has sold the

island of Little Tobago (West Indies) to Mr. A. Luban, of Newark,

New Jersey, who is very interested in the Lesser Birds of Paradise,

which Sir William imported several years ago from New Guinea.


It is reported that Mr. Luban has an idea of building a huge aviary

on the island, where some of the birds could be confined for the purpose

of studying their habits. During the last five or six years the birds

have increased largely in numbers, which greatly reduces their chances

of extermination. A number of papaw-trees were planted with the

object of providing fruits for them, and these are greatly appreciated.

Mr. Beebe visited the island not long ago, and was very satisfied with

the result. He reported that owing to the scarcity of water, pots holding

about a gallon have been placed about 35 feet up in three of the most

conspicuous trees in the area where fruit is most abundant, and water

is supplied twice a month. As many as fifteen Birds of Paradise have

been observed at one time in the top of a favourite tree.


It is to be hoped that Mr. Luban will be as successful in his care of

these birds as was Sir William Ingram, and will perhaps be able to

import other species of the Paradiseidge. Kagus might also be turned

down, and other birds which are in danger of extinction. One wonders

that some of the Birds of Paradise on Little Tobago have never found

their way over the 2 mile crossing to Tobago.


Hubert D. Astley.



BIRDS IN A CHISWICK GARDEN


The following is a list of birds seen in our garden in Chiswick up

till 1896. Species which have nested there to my knowledge are marked

with an asterisk : Mistle Thrush,* Song Thrush,* Blackbird,*

Redstart,* Redbreast,* Nightingale,* Whitethroat,* Blackcap,*

Garden Warbler,* Golden Crested Wren,* Chiff chaff, * Willow Warbler,*

Hedge Sparrow,* Longtailed Tit, Great Tit,* Coal Tit,* Blue Tit,*



