264



Correspondence



was always sticking out of the entrance hole. She sat very well, I

cannot say how long, but at a guess should think about twenty days.

The cock was always close at hand, keeping watch. After a time I

could hear the sounds of young and, many days later, one morning

on going into the shelter to feed I saw a young Ringneck poke its

head out of the hole. I saw this performance every day for many

more days until 6th July when, going into feed, my little friend was

missing, and all seemed strangely quiet and still. I knew something

had happened. Going near the nest-box I tapped the bottom, but

still there was no response, and I thought the birds must be dead

and once more I should have to report failure. We bird lovers get

so many of these failures that we get used to them. I felt rather down¬

hearted and was turning sadly away when, glancing into the open

flight, I beheld squatting in the grass a fine young Ringneck, nearly

as large as its parents. A few minutes later it was on the wing, flying

up to the perch alongside its parents. I wanted to rush off and tell

my employer to come and look at the sturdy youngster, so excited

was I. Another young one left the box two days later and they are

doing well. Although they are only common Ringnecks I was delighted

and they give me just as much pleasure as if they had been some much

rarer and expensive species.


A. Martin.



OBITUARY


WILLIAM SHORE-BAILY


We deeply regret to have to record the death of Mr William

Shore-Baily, of Boyer’s House, Westbury, Wilts, which took place

on 24th August at Liskeard, Cornwall. Mr. Shore-Baily has been

for many years an active member of our Society and frequent

contributor to our Journal. He served on the Council on several

occasions, and his aviaries, in which many rare species of birds were

bred for the first time in this country, were well known to our

members.



