98 
NATURE NOTES 
Mr. Degen may, perhaps, find something in the following to help him to an 
explanation of the fright exhibited by his cockatoo on seeing the skin of a snake. 
A few years ago, I took, with two other gentlemen, a shooting on the outskirts 
of Dartmoor. It was a very fine autumn, and a great many adders used to lie out 
in a rocky part where we shot rabbits. One of my partners, though by no means 
a timid or nervous person generally, every time he saw a snake would become 
much agitated, use very unparliamentary language, and shoot or kill somehow, 
if he could, the reptile that gave him so much annoyance. 
Seeing that his conduct was so strange and contrary to his usual quiet 
demeanour, moreover leading to a waste of cartridges that might be wanted if any 
of the party ran short, I asked my friend what was the meaning of it. He told 
me that when a small child he had been frightened by a snake, and he could not 
get over it however much he tried, and that the sight of one drove him mad, as 
it certainly seemed to do. 
In the same way the young cockatoo may have had a fright which left its 
lasting impression on the brain, or it may be that one of its parents had been so 
frightened when young, and transmitted the result to its offspring. 
April 5, 1900. Giles A. D.a,ubeny. 
Crow. — Although the war has to a great extent absorbed the attention of even 
the naturalist, it may be worth while to record the sufferings of a member of the 
faithful but much persecuted crow-family. While out for a walk with my brother, 
at Pill, near Bristol, I perceived, on passing through a copse, a crow rise from 
the ground some forty yards in front. On going to the spot I was surprised to 
see another one sitting on the ground. It made no effort to escape, and allowed 
me to pick it up, only feebly pecking my fingers. On examining it, I found that 
its leg was covered with blood, and was broken close above the toes. The dr)', 
clotted blood plainly showed that the wound had been inflicted at least the day 
before, and no doubt the mate had during that time assiduously watched by the 
side of its dying partner, only leaving to fetch it food. How long this might 
have lasted it is impossible to say, probably until the keeper, gun in hand, passed 
near the spot. I took it home with me, hoping to put its leg in splints and feed 
it, but I ultimately found that its wing was also fractured near the base. Con- 
sidering the case hopeless, I put an end to its miseries by chloroform. On 
skinning it, prior to stuffing, I found that a bone was broken in both legs, and 
that there was also a shot lodged in the abdomen. 
Thus there stands and will stand a lasting monument to the sufferings and 
heroic affection of these noble birds, and at the same time a testimony to the 
brutality and bad shooting-powers of the keeper. 
Fylion Rectory, Bristol. A. C. Mackie. 
Nightingale’s Nest.- -I shall be glad if anyone of your correspondents 
will tell me the origin of the fable (if it is a fable) that nightingales have an 
upright thorn in their nests. It is firmly believed by the villagers in this part of 
Hertfordshire. 
Hinxworth Rectory, Baldock, C. A. Clutterbuck. 
April 5, 1900. 
Mimicry in Starling. — I send you the following natural history note, 
on which I should be glad to have your opinion. 
Last November, when staying in the country, I was much struck by the 
power of mimicry shown by a starling. The bird was standing on a low roof 
some twenty-five feet distant from me when it imitated exactly the song of the 
blackbird. Though the rich tones of the blackbird were wanting, yet the 
mimicry was most wonderful and easily recognisable. The bird gave the song 
two or three times, and then departed. What made it more surprising was that 
no blackbirds were in .song. Is this usual or no ? I should be very much 
obliged if you could give me an answer to this question through the pages of 
N.ature Notes. 
160, Norwood Road, IFest Norwood, S.E. M. II. Moon. 
March 18, 1900. 
[The imitative power of the starling in captivity is well known, and this bird 
may well have heard, admired, and learnt the blackbird’s note earlier in the 
year ; but we shall be glad of further information as to such musical memory in 
wild birds. — E d. N. W.] 
