Correspondence, Notes, etc.


CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES, ETC.



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16



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FOREIGN BIRDS FOR LONDON PARKS.

Several members have shown that they take an interest in the

proposed experiment of liberating some foreign doves in Regent's Park by

sending contributions towards the purchase of the birds. The following

donations, for which I am most grateful, have readied my hands :


£ s. d.


Rev. Hubert D. Astley . , . . . . i i o


Sir Alexander Baird, Bart.


Mr. C. Castle-Sloane


Dr. F. D. Drewitt


Mr. W. B. Gibbins


Mr. W. J. Lewis



Besides these very generous money-donations Mr. W. J. Lewis has

given two pairs of Necklace Doves, the Hon. Gerald Lascelles has promised

a pair of Palm Doves and, as previously announced, Sir William Ingram, Bt,

six Bronzewing Pigeons.


The species which I believe would be most likely to succeed is the

Australian Crested Dove. This is an exceedingh* graceful and beautiful

bird, hardy and well able to take care of itself, and it is proposed, if the birds

are to be had, to spend almost all of the sum subscribed on the purchase of

examples of this species. The Bronzewing Pigeon would also be a good

one for our purpose, and possibly some of these may also be purchased, but

I think the Crested Dove {Ocyphaps lophotes) is the most suitable species.


Dr. Drewitt is also of this opinion, for he writes me as follows con-

cerning this bird: "This bird seems to have all the necessary qualifications,

being hardy, beautiful and harmless. It bred freely in the aviaries of the

late Lord Lilford ; and a pair I once had seemed quite happy even in a cage

in London.


" The usual argument against acclimatization cannot be applied to it.

Rabbits, Starlings, Sparrows, and Thrushes were known to be harmful long

before they were introduced into our Colonies. There can be little danger

of the graceful little dove competing with the Woodpigeou, if it did no

great harm would be done.


" Of course the first of them will share the pioneers' fate. Some will

be " obtained " and stuffed ; some greedily eaten by cats. But others will

survive. May they become the ancestors of a prosperous race."


Any member who has Crested Doves to sell at a reasonable price, or to

give for the experiment will greatly oblige by communicating with me.


It is proposed to form a small Committee to manage the experiment,

and of course a full statement as to how the money has been spent will be

published in due course. D. Skth-Smith.



