172 Correspondence. 
HAWKS AND HERONS. 
Sir. — Herons are often to be .seen on the edge of a small 
lake in tlie grounds of our present dwelling place, fishing, we 
suppose, for eels which abound : no other fish has been seen 
there. 
Not long ago a Heron was observed to rise and fly 
leisurely across the lake and settle on the top of a fir tree, it was 
followed immediately by a Hawk (Kestrel) with warlike inten- 
tions and menacing attitude causing the Heron to dislodge at 
once and fly down to the ground a short distance away. No 
sooner had the Hawk disappeared, however, than the Heron 
went back again to the top of ihe same fir tree, apparently 
ashamed at his want of courage, for on the Hawk returning a 
second time with the same intentions the Heron presented his 
formidable bill with such effect, that his adversary retired on the 
spot and was seen no more. 
Is it usual for a Hawk to attack a Heron unprovoked? 
Hon. Mrs. Somerset Ward. 
BIRDS OF PARADISE AND WONDERBERRIES. 
A WARNING ! 
Sir, — In my notes on " Paradise Birds," in Biid Notes, I 
mentioned that I had given my birds " Wonderberries." From 
several articles I have seen in gardening papers these berries 
seem to be nothing but the berries of a poisonous herb. My 
plants were forced in great heat which .seemed to have the effect 
of minimising their poisonous qualities. I am not going to 
risk this precious American importation as a bird food again, 
and I should be glad if you could find space in Bird Notes to 
make some reference to the dangerous nature of this plant, and 
so undo any mischief my mention of it may have caused. 
E. J. Brook. 
ITbe flDontb's Brrivals. 
Oil the 7th July I liad an opportunity of inspecting the collection of 
Sonth American birds imported by Mr. Hamlyn, viS Southampton, wliich 
was briefly mentioned in our last number. Tlie following species may be 
noted as of interest : — Red-bellied Thrush [Turdus nifivenlris). There were 
six of tliese, apparently all cocks. Tliis bird is of much the same length as 
