238 Aviculture and agriculture : our duty to Belgium.


disappeared, although a few of these birds returned at the end

of the year, but in nothing like their old numbers. The genus.

Parus also was decimated, as the Blue Tit (P. cceruleus obscurus )

was the only one of the genus whose young we saw. The Great Tit

(P. major neivtoni), the Cole Tit (P. ater britannicus), and the Marsh

Tit (P. palustris dresseri ), also nested here. Wrens alone did not

seem to have suffered from the winter. The migratory birds do

not seem to have been influenced by the weather, excepting in the

case of the genus Phylloscopzcs, very few Chiffchaff (P. collybita )

being seen or heard, and not one Willow Wren (P. trochilus), or

Wood Wren (P. sibilatrix).


Some migrants were more abundant, Flycatchers ( Muscicapa

striata), for instance, several pairs of which built, bred, and reared

their young broods here. I am also glad to say that last year

I saw more Swallows and House Martins than I have seen for

some years past.


I do hope that in the coming spring it will be found that

some songsters may have survived, and will return and breed here

again, as last spring all the woods round here were absolutely silent

of bird song.



AVICULTURE AND AGRICULTURE: OUR

DUTY TO BELGIUM.


The Editor ‘ Agricultural Magazine,’


54, Hatton Garden, E.C.


Dear Sir, — With a view to making a thorough investigation

of the possibilities regarding the industrial reconstruction of Belgium,

we solicit the regular service of your periodical.


We consider that a leading technical paper such as the

‘ Agricultural Magazine ’ ought to be consulted by the numerous

Belgian manufacturers and business men who are attending the

meetings of our industrial relief committees. We feel sure that our

countrymen will be interested in the various technical topics and

economics raised in your paper. They will possibly consult your



