202



Correspondence.



I have not seen a single Golden-crested Wren since last winter! and they

used to nest regularly in my garden and friend's gardens. In 1916 I found ten

Long-tailed Tits’ nests, but from last winter till October, 1917, I never saw a bird

and feared they were extinct in this county, then one day in October I saw a

“ party” of them to my great delight, so one pair survived and brought up a family

at any rate. I calculate that at least 80 per cent, of the Thrushes and 60 per cent,

of the Blackbirds were killed by starvation and cold in this neighbourhood. Tree

Creepers are nearly extinct, though none of the Tits except Long-tailed seem to

have suffered at all (I am not including Bearded Tits which are never found

just here).


Curiously enough I have seen more Nut-hatches (always common here) than

ever since last winter !


Green Plover, Redwings, and Fieldfares died in hundreds — even wild rabbits

became practically skeletons and quantities perished. Towns and villages were

full of starving Black-headed Gulls, hunting for scraps and refuse.


I only saw one common Wren during the whole of last spring and summer,

though several have turned up again now.


Woodpeckers are not affected, all these varieties being about as usual.


Heathfield, Hugh Wobmald.


East Dereham, Norfolk;


February 8th, 1918.



“THE BALANCE OF NATURE” AND “THE PAUCITY OF

WILD BIRDS.”


To the Editor of the ‘ Avicultural Magazine.'


Deae Sie, — I have been a good deal interested in the correspondence under

these headings in the last issue, and perhaps a few notes from Cheshire may

interest your readers. It is sad to hear about the Golden-crested Wren and the

Long-tailed Tit in Hants and Hereford. It is the same in Cheshire. Both these

little birds are usually familiar, but during the whole of 1917 I saw none. Other

observers of my acquaintance had the same bad luck, though at Christmas one

friend came across a very small party of Gold-crests in Delamere Forest. The

terrible winter of 1916-17 left a marked shortage of Song Thrushes, and Fieldfares

and Redwings suffered greatly. The two latter birds are very scarce this time.

I met with few Kingfishers last year, but their numbers are now more promising.

We have Cole and Marsh Tits, Blue and Great, all in evidence, and the Robin,

Wren, and Hedge Sparrow are plentiful. The Tree Creeper survived the hard

winter, and has been fairly numerous since, also the lesser Redpoll. There have

been fewer Bullfinches than usual. It is interesting to note that the Mistle

Thrush was particularly abundant and vigorous last year, singing with great

heartiness to an unusually late date in spring. Bramblings came very sparingly

in autumn, 1916, but on the present occasion they are abundant. Lapwings are

with us in great flocks, and Golden Plovers (in certain districts always favoured

in winter), abound. The latter half of January has been mild and spring-like, and

early songsters are already in good voice. It is to be hoped that the remainder

of the winter will prove kindly, and that in the coming days of spring we may

once more find the Long-tailed Tit and Gold-crest in our midst.


Foxley Mount, Yours, etc,


Lymrri , Cheshire; James J. Cash.


February 4 th, 1918.



IN-BREEDING OF SHAMAS AND CRANES.


Deae De. Gkahaji Renshaw, — I do not think Mr. Low need be at all afraid

of breeding from his young Shamas. The dangers of in-breeding have been enor¬

mously exaggerated, and where the stock is healthy and well reared it can often be

continued for three or four generations without ill-effects. If, however, there is a

weakness in the present birds in-breeding tends to bring it out very markedly in

the young.



