236 
NATURE NOTES 
64. Chiff-chaff. — In spite of one of the coldest and stormiest summers that 
I can ever recollect throughout my forty years in South Devon, the chiff-chaff is 
still staying with us and favouring us with his short but very musical song day 
after day, which we have heard constantly this very morning. I know that 
sometimes one of these birds stays through the winter, but I have not known him 
copy the thrush and blackbird in singing so late in such stormy weather, and 
I thought it would be worthy of notice in Nature Notes. 
Modbury Vicarage, South Devon , G. C. Green. 
October 5, 1903. 
65. Bullfinches in Bamboo. — A pair of bullfinches built their nest in a 
bamboo clump in my garden this year. I have had bamboos growing and 
flourishing very well for some years, and I have always wondered whether any 
birds would make use of them for nesting in. My garden runs along a much 
frequented road in Thames Ditton. The particular clump selected by these 
bullfinches is close to the fence and about thirty yards from the house and on the 
edge of the lawn. The female was sitting on her eggs before I discovered the nest, 
and as I believe the bullfinch is a shy bird when nesting, I took great precautions 
that she should not be disturbed. The brood was safely reared, and I now have 
the nest at home. One thing that puzzled me was that I never saw the male 
bird near the nest, so how the lady got food remains a mystery. The nest, though 
comparatively loosely built, was able to stand very rude gusts of wind which 
swayed the bamboos about in a very violent fashion on occasions. This is the 
first nest built in them. I hope it will not be the last. 
Rottingdean. J. Campbell. 
NATURAL HISTORY QUERIES. 
9. Rabbits and Magpies. In the spring I saw a magpie flying about near 
the ground, about two hundred yards away from me, apparently trying to pick up 
something that it fancied. But as soon as it came near the spot it seemed to be 
aiming at, it was chased by a rabbit, which drove it away several times, till at 
last it flew away discomfited, without attaining its object. Is this common? 
Cumberland. E. H. 
10. Tortoise and Dog. — Have any of our members had a similar 
experience to the following. We became the possessors of a tortoise ; when 
our dog, a very intelligent wire-haired fox terrier, saw the newcomer he appeared 
to have his interest excited to an extraordinary extent. He did not appear to 
be so much frightened as to have a sort of fascination in watching for hours 
his new companion. We shall be glad of any information re feeding and caring 
for our tortoise. M. M. 
[Most Greek or Moorish tortoises, the kinds mostly seen as pets in England, 
enjoy juicy plants such as cabbage, lettuce, dandelion or clover, and will eat 
bread soaked in milk or water. They probably eat no animal food. They 
love to bask in the sun, but as winter comes on must have access to a 
heap of mould or leaves where they can burrow beyond the reach of frost. — 
Ed. N.N.] 
11. Piebald Sparrows. — May I ask through Nature Notes whether 
sparrows are ever “piebald”? Lately, staying in Wensleydale, N. Yorks, for 
some weeks, I observed a sparrow amidst several others alight daily to feed (with 
the domestic fowls) which had white feathers from the middle of wings and back 
as far as half an inch beyond the base of the tail, the wings being edged with 
a border of brown as thick as a thread. Its legs appeared a fraction shorter 
than those of the sparrows with whom it came, and it was very tame. It was 
remarkably pretty. 
Hathersage, Derbyshire, Elizabeth Hopkins. 
September, 1903. 
[Such partial albinism is not uncommon.— Ed. N. PP . ] 
12. Wild Geese.— I saw a very large number of wild geese passing over 
Charnwood Forest this morning about eleven. There must have been over three 
