Our Letter 
Box. 
( [ 34) 
THE BIRD WORLD. 
to say, I was often more interested in the birds 
than in the ruins. They feed on the flies and 
other insects which abound in hot countries. 
We sometimes go to Italy, but in some parts 
there I look in vain for wild birdies. I have been 
told that the very poor Italians catch them for 
food—a dreadful idea ! I used to much enjoy 
feeding the pigeons in Venice. They are very 
tame, and if you put out your hand they would 
swoop down at once and settle all over you. They 
are very fat, as the visitors feed them so much. 
I hope you will be pleased to see “ Little 
Pip’s ” likeness which accompanies this. I lately 
tried to get a larger one, but as it was a warm day 
he insisted on “sitting down.” So I had to be 
content with this one (representing him standing 
on my finger) taken some years ago. 
Julia B. Williams. 
Sunny Bank, Merthyr Tydfil. 
Is the Eagle the Roc? 
“ W. H. M.” writes to tEe “Times” 
with the desire to clear up the question 
of the carrying powers of Eagles; and 
in the interest of “ the terewth ” the 
matters needs elucidation. There still 
lingers the tradition or superstition that 
the Eagle may or does carry off the 
human infant, and the picture of the 
noble bird of prey soaring to its eerie 
with a baby in its clutch whilst the 
father stands below with the gun he 
dare not use, and the distracted mother 
wrings her foolish hands, has figured 
not only in romance, but in the more 
veracious newspaper. On this tradi¬ 
tional episode the heartless hand of 
knowledge has from time to time thrown 
cold water. But sufficient uncertainty 
remains to scare many worthy people, 
and to leave us ignorant of the precise 
powers of the Eagle. According to 
“ W. H. M.” “the weight of quarry 
struck, or lifted and dropped, is no 
measure of their carrying power.” So 
that on the analogy of hares maternal 
anxiety where babies are exposed to the 
Eagle’s fell swoop may be comforted to 
the extent of knowing that the infant 
could not be carried far without being 
dropped. But it will be a useful addi¬ 
tion to knowledge to clear up the vexed 
question altogether; and we hope the 
minds of “ W. H. M.” and others may 
be set at rest. 
Hummel 
FINEST 
ROLLERS 
IMPORTED. 
To speak well 
of the Hummel 
is to gild 
refined gold. 
Rollers. 
Testimonials from Customers who 
say the Hummel is still singing as 
sweetly as when purchased four > 
five , six, and seven years ago. 
All Hummels have delightful, deep, delicate 
bow roll, hollow roll, hollow bow roll, du 
pipe, hollow bell roll, grand round bass 
roll, vibrating hollow roll, and charming 
water bubble roll. 
ONE PRICE ONcY—f2s. 6(1. ; no fancy prices. 
Hummel Hens 3s. each ; a Beautiful Pair of 
Hummels for 158.; St. Andreasberg Rollers 
5s. and 7s 6d. each ; Hummel School¬ 
masters 20s. each; better than can be 
obtained elsewhere at treble the price. 
Thousands of Testimonials have been pub¬ 
lished by me in “ Cage Birds ” from satisfied 
customers. I guarantee strictly honourable 
trading and satisfaction to all. 
VARNEY, Sole Proprietor and Importer of 
this Remarkable Roller Canary. Twenty 
years’ advertiser. 
VARNEY, STRATFORD, LONDON. 
EXPORT A SPECIALITY. 
“ The Schools, Overton, Ellesmere.— 
Ilummel arrived ; it at once commenced to 
sing—yes, a song worth listening to. It is 
the most exquisite songster I ever heard— 
decidedly a perfect Roller. I may say I 
never expected such perfection; they are 
worth all you charge for them. I must thank 
you for your courtesy, and shall be able to 
recommend your firm to those who require 
birds and not rubbish.—F. Robbins. June 
22nd, 1907.” 
“N.C.O., Royal Engineers, Aldershot.— 
Hummel arrived ; delighted with it.— 
J. H. Munford.” 
“Stobo Castle, Stobo, N.B.—The Hon. Mr. 
Philipson has had the Hummel a week, and 
will keep him; he is such a sweet singer. 
June 12th.” 
“ Ash View, Allmans Mold. —I am writing to 
say I am delighted with the Hummel pur¬ 
chased a lew months ago. Please send 
another.—R. James. June 24th.” 
VAPMPV THE great 
v CVIVML I » HUMMEL importer, 
Sole Proprietor and Only Importer of Hummel Rollers, 
STRATFORD, iLONDON. 
