Correspondence . 143 
nesting months, April, May and June, when the number is greatly ex- 
ceeded . 
It follows that in the three months named, each Song Thrush accounts 
ior at least 30,000 insects, most of which are harmful to the farmer and 
fruit grower. When one considers what the cumulative effect of the 
feeding habits of this species alone must mean to the farmer and fruit 
grower, in preventing the destruction of thousands of pounds’ worth of 
food, one realises what must be the total effect for good of the 50 or 60 
species of insect -feeding birds. Without their aid it would be impossible 
to cultivate the land to any profitable purpose. 
Once the people of this country realise what a potent factor wild 
birds are in the protection of our food crops and forests, then more en- 
lightened views will prevail, and the tardy Machinery of the State will 
•be forced to move more quickly and more effectively in order to preserve 
and protect a natural force of inestimable value to mankind . 
Mr. Chislett read a paper on ‘ The Hooded Crow and Whimbrel in 
their Breeding Haunts,’ illustrated by beautiful photographs obtained 
by him in Shetland . 
The lecturer found the Hooded Crows plentiful, nesting chiefly in the 
cliffs, though one nest was found in the ruins of a cottage. The nest is 
usually composed of seaweed lined with Shetland wool, but this one had 
added a number of bones and wings of birds ; they obtained their food 
principally on the shore, and were wary and difficult to photograph. 
The lecturer believed himself to be the first to photograph the Whim- 
brel on its nest. This nest was found almost by accident after a long 
and fruitless search. Many slides were shown of the birds and eggs and 
also of the chicks. The call is supposed to be seven times repeated ; 
hence the name of ‘ Seven Whistler.’ In this instance the number of 
repetitions was very variable and averaged about nine. After the young 
^vere hatched they were led away by their parents into deep heather and 
were very difficult to locate. — E. Wilfred Taylor. 
: o : 
CORRESPONDENCE . 
POISONOUS EFFECT OF HAY. 
One of my uncles informs me that hay put into water frequented by 
pike (about June or July) has a poisonous effect on the fish, and he stated 
he had seen dead pike after a flood had washed hay into their habitat. — 
W. G. Bramley. 
ROOK SUPERSTITION. 
The presence of a bird of ill-omen at Moldgreen, near Huddersfield, 
has been reported to me to-day (Jan. 28th). It is described as a particu- 
larly large and exceedingly ugly black ‘crow’ (rook?), which has 
haunted the neighbourhood for some weeks, to the horror of certain of 
the residents. So large is it (in their fancy) that it darkens a room 
should it chance to fly past a window ! But worse than that — this ugly 
monster leaves death in its train, and many persons are known to have 
passed away within a few days after the bird crossed over their house in 
its flight ! ! It has frequently been seen in the neighbourhood of the 
house of my informant, and since one member of the family is an invalid, 
they have been living in perpetual fear and trembling lest death should 
enter their home. This particular bird seems to be an outcast from its 
kindred, and is said to be always alone. The superstition is firmly 
rooted, and an attempt to explain it away was only met by the remark 
I wish someone would shoot it.’ The party so concerned has now re- 
moved to another part of England, whence, let us hope, this ugly ‘ crow ’ 
will not follow. — Charles Mosley, Huddersfield. 
1922 Apl. 1 
