Correspondence,



111



slums, where Chaffinch singing competitions still take place, some villains may

not still exist who practise this abomination. In our Magazine for August,

1915, Dr. Bernard Potter wrote a very interesting account of the birds

observed by him in Flanders, and he describes his disgust at finding that the

natives of a certain village were in the habit of holding singing competitions

for Chaffinches with blinded birds. The Editor, in a footnote, says that this

practice, although prohibited by law, also exists in Italy. One can hardly

imagine any Englishman, even of the lowest grade, doing anything so vile, but

if it is even done here the law is surely powerful enough to mete out the punish¬

ment that should finally put a stop to it.


These Chaffinches, I learn, are kept in the most wretched little cages in

which they can barely turn round, and here, too, is a case for an amendment

of the present law.


D. Seth-Smith.


I think that all members of the Avicultural Society should follow the

advice of our Editor and protest in the strongest possible way against the

Bill that has been introduced by Lord Buckmaster. If the Bill as drafted

becomes law I can see in the near future a further attack on our hobby. This,

to me, appears only the thin edge of the wedge ; sooner or later another

attack will be made on the keeping of foreign birds. The sponsors of

this Bill know next to nothing about the keeping of cage and aviary birds,

and if a check is not put upon them will do our hobby a great deal of harm.

Therefore I would suggest that every one of our members, from the officers

downwards, should write to their respective M.P. protesting against this Bill.

The 1926 Bird Protection Act already in existence is sufficient to deal with

any form of cruelty, and there is no need for further restrictions. With every

one of our members pulling their weight, this Bill will meet the fate it justly

deserves, but we must act now and at once.


A. Martin.



AVICULTURE, VOL. I


I notice that a revised edition of Vol. I of Aviculture is under

consideration. Perhaps you would not resent my bringing to notice a few

errors which probably occurred through printer’s faults and in translation.

They are as follows : Under “ American Warblers ”, p. 276, the description

of Mniolilta varia (Black and White Creeping Warbler) is given : “ all lined

with white and dark-brown ”. It should be black in place of “ dark-brown

Siurus auricapillus (Oven bird) has the crown orange-tawny not “ bright red .”

Icieria virens (the Yellow-breasted Chat), largest of all the American

Warblers, has the lower parts rich yellow not “ vellowish-fawn ”. It also

states that Oporornis formosus (Kentucky Warbler) resembles it. The

resemblance is superficial and the bird is only half the size.


I question the size of Compsocoma sumptuosus, p. 116, given as 10|- inches.


Also on p. 326, under “ Broadbills ”, sixth line, “ ruby-grey ” must be

the printer’s error.


I am hoping that you will accept these corrections in the spirit they are

given. I know only too well the mistakes that can happen before an article

■appears in print. Our own Aviculture is full of them, but we hope to improve.


Karl Plath.



