230 
NATURE NOTES 
l)oUom the skeletons of four little birds, half fledged. They had been buried 
under six inches of rubbish, probably by the starlings, angry at being driven out. 
^V. J. Stillman. 
Wood-pigeons. — These birds go on breeding through spring and summer 
till stopped by frost. I have reason to believe that there is a nest, at least, in 
my garden at this moment. I judge by the cooing, vvhich invariably, I think, 
accompanies nesting. I once found a wood-pigeon sitting on two eggs, in the 
Duke of Roxburgh’s plantations, on November l6 and 17. 
George Rooper. 
Tameness in a Hedge-sparrow. — I notice recorded by correspondents 
of Nature Notes not a few instances of tameness in wild birds. I am writing 
to show that it is not only confined to robins. Towards the end of September, 
1899, I was silting in a shrubbery reading, when my attention was drawn to a 
bird staring impertinently at me with a pair of large black eyes, bowing and 
curtseying like a marionette. Wishing to see it closer I crept quietly behind a 
bush and approached it. Contrary to my expectation, instead ol flying away on 
seeing me, it still continued to stare ; so I cautiously put out my hand and was 
able to touch it. I then perceived it was a hedge-sparrow. As soon as I had 
touched it, it hopped away, and I drew back, not wishing to frighten it. It flitted 
off into some undergrowth, and by doing so showed it was not hurt, as one would 
have supposed. In the same place next day it allowed me to approach quite 
near, and when I held out my hand it looked into it, always keeping a few inches 
out of my reach. As I went away next day I was not able to renew acquaintance, 
which I regretted deeply. Never since have I had an experience so close and 
intimate with wild Nature. 
? 7 eufchdiel, Aisne, France. D. Matheson. 
Rooks. — Could any of your readers give information as to the progress of 
the rookery in Connaught Square? Last spring the rooks built about twelve nests 
in the plane trees, and formed quite a nice colony. It would be interesting to 
hear whether they persevered and were successful in their family aflairs. 
'^2, S/iaftesbzuy Avenue, fC. , P. li. Clark. 
October 30. 
Food for Martins. — May I ask your assistance and that of your readers, in 
the following case? 
There are three young martins still left in a very sheltered corner under the 
eaves of a rather high out-building in our garden. As I am given to understand 
that marlins left behind in this way usually die for want of food when the severe 
weather arrives, I should be glad if you or any of your renders could suggest any 
way by which we could provide the little birds with suitable food that they would 
eat, or any means of helping them to tide over the cold weather ? 
Lilly Hargrave. 
Broivnslow, Great Budworth, Northwich, 
October 31,1 900. 
Hornbills. —The other day, when looking at the hornbills in the Natural 
History Museum, I wondered of what use the strange excrescence on the bill is to 
them. It probably has some connection with their food or mode of procuring it. 
but I don’t know what. Will some one kindly enlighten me? 
Cambridge Lodge, St. Albans, Rose Iurle. 
November 10, 1900. 
[Professor New’ton, in the “ Encyclopedia Britannica, ’ states that the function 
of the huge epiihema in the hornbill is entirely unknown ; so that, now that Mr. 
Grant Allen is dead — unless Mr. Kipling will explain it in one of his “Just So’’ 
stories — we must await farther observation. — El). N.N.'\ 
Butterflies and Birch Sap. — I have repeatedly seen butterflies attracted 
by the sap of the birch and other trees. They are always, as Dr. Snow slates, 
Vanessidee. The only E. antioga I have seen or captured in England was feasting 
on the sap of a sallow. In August, last year, a quantity of red admirals were busily 
engaged on ihe trunk of an oak near here from which sap was exuding. 
November, 1900. Ed.mund Tiios. Daubeny. 
