Correspondence



161



knowledge to all its friends in the neighbourhood, and in a month or two

it will appear that one is keeping mice rather than birds.


Not only are mice dangerous, often frightening birds in the night and

causing them to crack their skulls, turning out nesting birds, and eating

and fouling all the food, but they cause one’s bird-room to reek of such a

disgusting odour.


If one has a brick and slate building it is exceedingly difficult to eradicate

them in spite of every effort. My first greenhouse aviary I had to abandon

owing to the mice getting in the earth and the flower-pots. In fact just over

twelve months ago my bird-room got so overrun that I despaired of ever

getting rid of the pests. Happening to relate my troubles to Mr. Seth-Smith,

he showed me an extremely ingenious trap of his own invention which he

told me had rid the bird-house in the Gardens of all these undesirable

occupants. I took careful measurements and got one of my workmen to

make a couple. In just over six months I must have caught about 300 ! and

have completely rid my bird-room and aviaries of them. These traps can be

used in any aviary with impunity.


Several of my friends have had similar ones made and have used them

with equal success. The only thing to remember is to let the mice get into

the box before setting the traps inside so that it gets a “ mousey ” smell:

this seems to give the mice confidence to enter.


The object of this letter is to try and induce Mr. Seth-Smith to kindly

give particulars of his ingenious invention through the medium of the

Magazine, and I am sure if he does so he will earn the eternal blessing of

Aviculture. Just one more word, seed scattered near the entrance-holes

helps to entice the mice in and the trap should never be cleaned out, the

worse it smells the more it attracts the mice.


Sydney Porter.



ARRIVAL OF SWALLOWS


Although our scientists have as yet no knowledge of the fact that our

climate is rapidly changing the birds know it, however, for on 6th April

last I saw a pair of Swallows, in vigorous condition, flirting over Staines Bridge.

On 13th April I saw another pair at Lingfield, Surrey. On 26th April, in

motoring from Cowes to Ventnor, I.O.W., I saw several pairs. Swallows

also remained in the Isle of Wight last winter until the second week in

December.


H. Moore, F.Z.S.


[The Swallow arrives in this country, as a rule, in the second week of

April, but there are records of its appearance earlier in the year, and as long

ago as 1774 one was seen by Gilbert White on 4th April. —Ed.]



PETER’S SPOTTED FIREFINCH BREEDING


This is just to notify you that a Peter’s Spotted Firefinch baby left the

nest to-day (17th May). I cannot tell yet if there are more as I dare not

go near ! A few years ago I had three left the nest, one died (or was killed).



