TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
59 
head, with its snow while hair seen ihroush the glass, drew them at once to the 
spot. Quite recently I have often observed a beautiful wild magpie fly up to a 
library window of plate glass, which is kept closed. The magpie flies into a lai^e 
apple tree, some little distance ofT, perches there for a few moments, .squawks, flirt> 
its magnificent tail, then flies gently under the verandah to the window, where it 
flies up and down, seemingly desirous to enter the room if it could. Defeated, it 
returns to the tree, where it ejaculates as before, and then, apparently not liking 
to l)e foiled, flies back to the window. It repeals this three times or so, finally it 
goes off in disgust. There is nothing in the room to attract it. I can only 
account for the action of the bird by supposing that it sees the reflection of the 
trees outside, in the plate glass, and perhaps its own image. But it must see 
through the glass, as it goes so gently to it, and flutters uj) and down, which shows 
that it is aware that it cannot pass through it. 
Carisbrooke, /. /F. E. Price Saver. 
I have good opportunities for experiments on this subject, for I have a daily 
breakfast party, consisting of some dozens of rooks and starlings, with now’ and then 
a jackdaw or two, and of course any number of sparrows, who come uninvited. 
■After spreading the usual repast, I waited for the guests to assemble, which did 
not take long. I then stood close to an adjoining plate glass window, within a few 
feet of the birds. They took no notice of me at all, till I waved a handkerchief, 
and then at once they flew away. This was re[ieated twice. Then I made loud 
discordant noises, which produced no effect on them. So it seems to me that 
the theories advanced are at least partially founded on fact. 
Folkestone. A. L. Hussey. 
Nightingale near London. — Mow near London could I depend on 
hearing a nightingale, if I came up for that purpose ? 
Southport. J. Hudsworth. 
TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Mildness of the Season.— This is so patent a fact that we do not think it 
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