TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
179 
shared by me. Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, writing of this species in his recently 
published Handbook, could only say “ it apparently breeds in the Shetlands,” 
and repeats the evidence to be found in M r. Saunders’ Manual. 
O. V. Aplin. 
[This correspondence is closed. — E d. A^..iV.] 
Sparronrs and Thrushes. — A day or two ago my attention was called to 
the actions of a sparrow that was dancing attendance on some thrushes. The 
sparrow followed first one thrush, then another, keeping within a few inches of 
them as they were searching for food on my lawn. It was the afternoon, and as 
there had been no rain, worms were not so much the object of their search as a 
small chafer, which just now is to be found in quantities a little below the surface 
of the ground. When a chafer is discovered the thrush has to work hard to clear 
a way to get it out of the turf, and on bringing it to the surface adopts the same 
plan as after a struggle in pulling a worm out of its hole ; that is, it drops the 
chafer on the ground for a few moments, either to take rest or in the belief that 
its prey is secure. Then it w.as that the object of the sparrow’s delicate attentions 
showed itself. The moment the chafer was dropped by the thrush it was seized 
by the sparrow, which flew to some little distance to devour its ill-gotten prize, 
only to return in a minute or two to repeat the theft. I saw this trick practised 
on three or four thrushes for an hour without remonstrance on their part, and it 
was the coolest bit of passerine impudence I have ever witnessed. 
Market Weston, Thetford. EDMUND Tlios. Daubeny. 
Cuckoos. — The cuckoos delayed their departure a few days longer than 
usual this season. I last heard one on July i, while one or two were reported to 
me on July 3. I noticed a young cuckoo yesterday (July 8) being diligently fed 
by a hedge-sparrow. 
Redditch. J. Hiam. 
TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
C. R. — (i) Polygala depressa. (2) There is no recent monograph. (3) We 
cannot modify the Rule, but an e.\ception may be made when necessary. 
W. J. — (i) Scleranthus annuiis. (2) Lepidium ruderale. 
A. R. — Saponaria Vaecaria. 
S. G. — Handbook of British Birds, by Dr. Bowdler Sharpe (Allen & Co., 
4 vols., 24s.). 
J. C. T. — The report has not reached us, but we cannot find room for 
sermons, however excellent. 
Sydney. — The birds seen in Richmond Park were undoubtedly redstarts. 
B. S. W. — Contributors to N.N. are not paid. 
A. L. S. — We regret the bmission. See answer to B. S. W. 
[The Editor is in no way accountable for the delay in issuing the present 
number ; the responsibility for this rests with the Magazine Committee.] 
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