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NATURE NOTES 
Bird Sanctuary at Hampstead. — Referring to the paragraph under 
this heading in the May {1902) issue of Nature Notes, it must be gratifying to 
Mr. J. E. Whiting to know that the scheme which he originated is now approach- 
ing fruition, seeing that ground near the Viaduct Pond, for some time past staked 
out for the suggested refuge, has at length been fenced in. The next step should 
be to plant the space so enclosed with such trees, shrubs, grasses, &c., as would 
be likely to prove conducive to the birds’ welfare. They, it should be remem- 
bered, are in one respect unlike ourselves, since with them the beauty of the 
surroundings would not be the first consideration, but rather would birds be 
attracted to a spot by suitable insect life there obtainable. It follows, then, from 
this, that by providing food for birds we ensure their presence, and so add charm 
and interest to any particular locality. In the little stream which trickles down 
our fenced-off valley we have one of the chief essentials, for in it birds would be 
able to bathe, and from it be able to drink. Brambles should be freely grown 
everywhere. They would in time hide the fence, if planted near to it, which 
would be no small advantage ; but what is of more importance is that it is among 
these brambles that the blackcap and nightingale procure their chief supply of 
insect food ; and in these thorny fastnesses do they build their nests and rear their 
young ; so that no trouble in the way of planting should be deemed too great 
which would be likely to recall these treasured songsters. On each side of the 
stream might be tried moisture-loving things, such as sweet sedge, reed-mace, 
arrow-heads, water plantain, rushes, &c. , all of which hear bird provender in the 
shape of caterpillars and insects, that are greedily devoured by pipits, sedge and 
reed warblers. Among the common reeds (Phra^miUs communis) the last- 
named always suspend their nests, in itself an effective argument for planting. 
Nor should evergreens be omitted — laurels, hollies, yews — which would serve as 
roosting places, and on no account should birches be overlooked, because these 
yield a large percentage of the food required by whitethroats, willow wrens, and 
other members of the Sylvian family on their first arrival in the spring. Now 
that the enclosure is a reality there will be saved, let us hope, the marsh marigolds 
growing by the rivulet, which, as spring comes round, are generally plucked before 
they have had time to show in yellow flower. 
Hampstead, November 10, 1902. A. 
Cuckoo. — On Thursday, August 28, my attention was drawn to a large bird 
sitting on the back of a garden seat which proved to be a fine young cuckoo. At 
intervals its foster parents (a pair of wagtails) fed it. It continued some half 
hour or so sitting in a humpy awkward way till, frightened by the gardener’s 
mowing machine, it flew on to a croquet hoop on the lawn, slightly further away, 
and finally disappeared from view. It looked far too awkward in its appearance or 
flight to be able to undertake a long journey, though it W'as evidently obeying that 
old saying that “in August go he must.” One of the foster parents (whether 
“ Monsieur ” or “ Madame,” I know not), spent the whole winter in our garden, 
and attended my daily bird breakfast-table to look out any dainties. In the 
spring it paired, and this is the result. I regret we did not investigate the nest 
whilst this young monster was incubating, the wagtails being mere dwarfs by their 
gigantic nestling. 
Shiplake Vicarage. Emily J. Ci.imknson. 
October 1902. 
Variations of the Cuckoo’s Call. — I never heard the " cack-coo-coo” 
referred to by your correspondent, W. Shelley (Nature Notes, November, 
1902, p. 216), but on June 2, 1897, at Little Baddow, Essex, I heard a cuckoo 
sing “ cuck-cuck-coo ” many times in succession. The second “ cuck ” was very 
■slightly lower than the first, the interval being less than a semitone, that between 
the first “cuck ” and final “coo ” a minor third. 
Referring to Mr. Beasley’s note, it is not unusual to find young cuckoos still 
here (especially on the east coast), well into September, as they remain with us 
long after the old birds have departed, but the 20th of that month is, I think, 
a decidedly late date. 
lilaxhall, Suffolk. G. T. Rope. 
November, 1902. 
