Appeal to Members



125



Nuthatch, Wren,* Tree-creeper, Pied Wagtail,* Grey Wagtail,* Meadow

Pipit,* Spotted Flycatcher,* Swallow,* Martin,* Greenfinch, House

Sparrow,* Chaffinch,* Bullfinch,* Starling,* Magpie, Carrion Crow,*

Rook, Skylark,* Swift,* Wryneck, Green Woodpecker, Kingfisher,

Cuckoo,* Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Kestrel, Mute Swan and Wild Duck

(on the river), Wood Pigeon, Moorhen, Green Plover, Redshank.


Not a bad list for 5 miles west of Hyde Park Corner. But the

Nightingale dates from about forty years ago, and was found by my

brother. Our garden was about eleven acres in all and part of it belonged

to the garden of Corney House, pulled down in 1832. That part was

allowed to run wild, and had a river frontage. It was a paradise for

natural history ; but that is a thing of the past. The list would be

longer but for my youth and ignorance during the best and earlier years.


During the winter of 1912 our gardener found in the garden a young

cock Blackbird which seemed to have been badly scared by a cat,

just escaping with its life. I gave the man a cage, which he hung up

in a shed, and by the spring the bird had recovered except for a slightly

dropping wing. It was then released. Now, whenever there is a

shortage of food or hard weather, that bird voluntarily returns to the

cage, where the gardener keeps it until better weather comes, shutting

the cage-door to protect it from cats. I saw it there myself last winter,

and have seen it in the garden once this summer. It must, therefore,

be 10 years old. It seems to appreciate what was done for it during times

of distress.


H. L. Sigh.



APPEAL TO MEMBERS


In the July number of the Magazine we announced the intention

of the Council to publish a series of articles on Aviculture, to be sub¬

sequently printed in book form. At the present time the income of

the Society only permits the monthly issue of a magazine of sixteen

pages, with an occasional illustration. It has been calculated that

the carrying through of the new scheme, involving the printing of a

magazine of at least thirty-two pages, with appropriate illustrations, will

cost the Society an additional £70 or £80 per annum. This expenditure

can only be met by special subscription, and the Council of the



