132 
Correspondence . 
summer uso I am adding an outor flight, of the feamc size as the original 
one, with a larg<' opening between them. 
Although we have had rather aj severe winter for this part of the 
rouatry 1 am pleased to say I have not lost any birds from eold . On 
some of the most severe nights I have hung up a eurtain round (he 
glass sashes, but have not supplied any form of artifirial heit. T have, 
howi'viT, added a range of pigeon-holes filled with moss and fi'athers, 
ahu\r the wire frames you saw, when calling her earlier in the year, 
and these the birds oecupy freely . 
Tverton, Devon, 31/3/1915. (Mrs.) JESSIE G. POPE. 
BLRDS NEAR THE EIRING LINE. 
[The following letter, just to hand, from our member, Dr. E. 
Sprawson, who has been with the Expeditionary Force in France, almost 
from the beginning, will, I think, interest many of our readers. It may 
also be of interest to state that Capt. E. C. Sprawson is attached to the 
O.C. Sanitary Section of the R .A .M .C .— Ed :] 
Sir, — 1 saw in a London paper, about two months ago, that 
bird lift anywhere near the firing line was conspicuous by its absence ; 
where I have been for the past — nearly four months, and there is plenty 
of riHi and shell fire about, bird life seems to hz fairly plentiful, and 
these birds do not seem to take any notice of the noise, except to move 
away from the vicinity of shell bursts . 
I have seen some 24 species during this time, from within say, 
1,000 yards to 3 miles of the trenches, which is well within range, oi 
of shells, etc. In fact a few weeks ago I saw a Thrush singing; within 
100 yards of a sixty-pounder gun, which was in action at the time, 
and makes " some " noise, but the bird did not seem to mind, and ear- 
rieil on with its song as if there were no gun fire there. Have not 
seen any summer migrants here yet. 
12/4 '15. (Capt.) EVELYN SPRAWSON. 
P.S. — I had an 8in. Krupp high explosive shell burst about 10-15 
yard.s away from me three or four days ago, and like the birds " moved 
away from the vicinity ' — it was in an open field — these shells make a 
hole about 5ft. deep and 13ft. across. — E.S. 
NEST OF QUAKER PARRAKEETS. 
Sir,— As requested, I am enclosing you photos of the Quaker 
Parrakeet's nest. 
The photos were kindly taken for mc by Mrs. Geo. Gran, Steep 
Hill, Farnham. 
Last yc-AT the same pair of birds successfully reared four young 
Quakers, three of which are still in the aviary. This season they have 
simply thoroughly rcjiaired last season's structure, and, as will be seen 
from the plate, Quaker Castle for 1!)15, is both substantial and ornate. 
Burrow Inche C. E. CKOKEfi. 
Lower Bourne, Faruhaai, 3/5/ '15, 
