90 
NATURE NOTES 
than twenty shells, some of no small size, and all nearly perfect, a great number 
of insects, and some grain. Another starling had eaten fifteen molluscs of 
different kinds, a number of perfect beetles, and many grubs.” 
One might think that a bird with such credentials would be very welcome to the 
farmer, and if he did steal a little fruit sometimes he might then be liable to be 
punished and snared or shot. I know the starling is— like the blackbird and the 
thrush — very fond of cherries, but I never knew he condescended to take bush 
fruit. He is a constant visitor to the grass lawns in town and country, industri- 
ously picking up the insects, and one feels shocked that his good deeds have 
not .saved him from the savage slaughter. 
As to the hedge sparrow (Hedge Accentor) there must be some mistake, for 
this bird is perfectly harmless to farmer and gardener, he does not devour the 
young green peas, nor nibble the crocus blooms, but lives mostly upon insects. 
However, the club boasts of having killed 2,642 of both species during last year, 
and is preparing to kill an increased number this year, altogether a very cruel 
practice against the continuance of which I protest, and trust the Selborne 
Society will undertake a crusade in the neighbourhood of the Lydney Club. 
Sotclh Yardtey, Selboknian. 
April 5. 
The energetic Honorary Secretary of our Birmingham Branch 
sends us also the following a pvopos extract from Swaysland’s 
“ Familiar Birds.” 
“ Perhaps there is no bird that does so much real good to the husbandman 
as the starling. To those who only know the bird from its having eaten, in 
company with its congeners, almost all the cherries and elderberries, or stopped 
the waterspout with its nest, this may appear startling news, but true it never- 
theless is. The starling generally finds a home where meadow-land or turf 
exists, and its usefulness to the grazier is incalculable. Those who possess lawns 
may perceive the bird industriously parting the grass in a most ingenious manner 
with its beak, whilst securing and feeding upon the most destructive grubs and 
insects that exist.” 
Almost by the same post another correspondent sends us the 
following paragraph from the Standard of April 8 as to the 
sagacity of this species of bird, which belongs, it may be remem- 
bered, to the Order now placed by ornithologists at the summit 
of the avian class : — 
“ A remarkable instance of the sagacity of the starling is reported from 
Muston Gorse, a few miles distant from Belvoir Castle. A starling had entered 
a hole in a hollow ash tree which proved too small for its exit. Shortly after 
another bird of the same species was seen at the orifice, endeavouring to release 
its imprisoned comrade by seizing the captive just above the beak, and pulling 
with its feet propped against the tree. Although frightened away, the starling 
returned and renewed its efforts, which were eventually successful in obtaining 
the release of its mate. The incident was witnessed by two or three well-known 
residents in the district.” 
LETTER TO THE EDITOR. 
Burley Beeches. 
From time to time you have pleaded the cause of the Burley 
Beeches, and no doubt were equally as pleased as myself that 
the ratepayers of Sanderstead agreed to raise the greater part 
of the necessary funds by a special rate. But unfortunately the 
sum that will be raised is not quite sufficient, and our friends, 
the City of London Corporation, have been obliged to decline 
to assist us. We remain, therefore, .^240 short of the recjuired 
