Correspondence, Notes, etc.



n 3



“swarmed with pictures of Elephants, Owls, Crocodiles, and

other creatures.” The contents were soon known by heart, and

engrafted in the youthful breast a passion for nature which has

grown with him. Many a time has starvation stared our author

in the face; yet, in spite of obstacles which, by most people

would have been considered insurmountable, he managed to

make time to pursue his studies of wild creatures. The result

of this is that Mr. Patterson has done some most valuable work

in more than one branch of natural history, and has proved

himself to be one of the best observers of the day.


The present volume is full of valuable observations on the

natural history of this district, and many anecdotes relating to

the very interesting class of men, now almost extinct, who

in 3'ears gone b}L obtained a living by wildfowling on Breydon.


With the increase of population, the drainage of the

marshes and other causes, the number of rare birds visiting

Eastern Norfolk is far less than was the case some half a century

ago, but even now several species are found which can be

observed nowhere else in Great Britain. The celebrated and

ever delightful Broads are the home of the Bearded Tit, a most

charming little bird that has been ruthlessly and shamefully

persecuted by collectors, but which, thanks to the protection

afforded it in recent years, holds its own well, and even seems to

be increasing. Every year, on the Spring migration, Spoonbills

visit the Breydon mud-flats, sometimes being joined by Avocets.


Mr. Patterson’s book is delightful reading, and its value is

much increased by the series of beautiful coloured drawings by

Mr. Frank Southgate.



CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.



A BOURKE’S PARRAKEET ILL.


Sir, —It maj' be of some use to report to our members my treatment

of a male Bourke’s Parrakeet (Neophema bourkei), suffering apparently

from a chill on the stomach, which caused indigestion.


The bird sat very puffed out at the bottom of the cage, with it’s eyes

half closed and lustreless. I noticed that the canary seed eaten by it passed

through the body almost entirely undigested, I tried to give it “Marie”



