Chirps and 
Chatter. 
(176) THE BIRD WORLD. 
of their abode and by the means of inter¬ 
communication which exist, and yet our 
brethren of the provinces look down 
upon London, so far as things ornitho¬ 
logical are concerned. London needs 
rousing to a sense of its responsibilities, 
and this the promoters of the Federation 
scheme feel, London, they think, should 
lead the van. The chief difficulties in 
the way are the lack of clannishness and 
brotherliness which cause our Northern 
brethren to pull together, and also of 
the spirit of keenness. Get rid of the 
individualism and apathy which exists, 
and then Federation for London will 
float on the wings of success. 
The Art of Hybridisation. 
News is just coming to hand of the 
results of the breeding season in the 
rooms of those fanciers who follow the 
fascinating, self-absorbing, yet tantalis¬ 
ing and disappointing hobby of hybrid 
breeding. The art of hybridisation is 
making rapid headway, especially North 
of the Tweed, and from whispers which 
have reached us we quite expect when 
this season’s shows commence to find a 
much larger number of hybrids shown 
than in past seasons, and not only do 
we anticipate increased numbers, but 
also some rare and interesting examples 
of the hybridiser’s work, which have 
hitherto been very seldom, and some 
never, seen. 
Times Change. 
Bird breeding in all its stages is be¬ 
coming more and more a matter of 
science, the old rough and tumble 
methods are departing, as are the old 
school of fanciers. Twentieth century 
bird-keepers and breeders are a more 
brainy lot tjian their forefathers. Much 
of this is doubtless due to the vast 
amount of literature which is now pro¬ 
vided for all sorts and conditions of 
bird lovers. 
A Stupendous Fact. 
It appears almost incredible that six 
years ago there was no journal devoted 
solely to the interests of bird lovers, yet 
now “ Cage Birds,” with its over 40,000 
per week circulation, reaches the farthest 
ends, not only of the United Kingdom, 
but of Britain beyond the seas. Week 
by week by its most interesting articles 
and chatty correspondence does it 
educate the breeders and keepers not 
only of Canaries, but British and Foreign 
Birds as well. Is it therefore to be 
wondered at that the Fancy, as it is 
technically called, has advanced by 
leaps and bounds, and that bird lovers 
have increased by thousands upon 
thousands ? 
Not a Question of Tartan. 
Much probing of the spirit has there 
been in Scots Fancy circles by the corre¬ 
spondence which has lately taken place! 
on the “ Model ” question. Reading be¬ 
tween the lines, there is something con¬ 
nected with this matter that should be 
brought to light. Be that as it may, 
things are not going as they should do 
in Scottish circles. Scotland is losing 
her grip of her national bird, and such 
breeds as Borders, Norwich, Yorkshires, 
Crests, and Cinnamons are making just 
headway. It is only a few years since 
that the majority of Scottish shows were 
for Scots fanciers only, with here and 
there a few stray classes for British 
Birds and Mules. Now there are some 
without a single class for the bird o’ 
circle. What has caused such a change? 
Sparrows on their Holidays. 
If the farmers were to get paid for 
what of their produce is now being eaten 
by inhabitants of towns, then would 
the farmers have reason to call this 
year a good one. Take notice how few 
Sparrows are now to be seen in our 
streets. They are all off on their holi¬ 
days, rejoicing in the farmers’ corn. 
Enormous is the quantity that these 
creatures consume—enormous the loss to 
the farmers! 
Wild Birds’ Protection Acts. 
Steps are being taken by the County 
Council of Worcestershire with a view 
