Correspondence


SANDHILL CRANES



95



Madam,— Referring to our correspondence of some time since regarding

Sandhill Cranes, Mr. Lee S. Crandall of the New York Zoological Park,

Curator of Birds, tells me that a few years ago eggs were produced by the

Sandhills at the Park, but no young were hatched.


Cranes have not been widely kept in this country, or perhaps, I should

say not so generally as in Europe. About the only species of which I have

any record as to breeding in this country are Demoiselles, White-necked (in

California), Lilfords, Asiatic White, and the record made by Mr. Wm. J.

Mackensen, of Yardley, Penna., some years ago in rearing to maturity

a young Stanley’s Crane. Unfortunately the breeding female was sub¬

sequently lost through an attack of diphtheria so the experience was not

repeated.


We have here a pair of Sandhills which are very well mated, and which

should in time nest. One interesting thing I have observed about the Sandhills

is that the brown juvenile plumage is partially carried over into the third

year and some birds are nearly three years of age before they finally assume

the lovely grey adult plumage in its entirety.


The Sandhills are so happy and frolicsome by nature that it will be a real

achievement when a good stock of captive-bred birds is finally started.


The custom of your Avicultural Society in giving recognition of the first

breeding of the various species is unexcelled as it gives a definite record of

the first breeding of rare sorts. I have only gotten information about the

Sandhill and other Cranes through much correspondence and research,

which would have been obviated had our American Avicultural so long a

record of first breedings.


C. L. Sibley.


[It is claimed that Sandhills have been reared at Lilford and it is hoped

to publish particulars of the breeding of this and other species of Cranes

before very long.— Editor.]



THE ASSOCIATION OF BIRD WATCHERS AND WARDENS

{Founded October, 1936)


Madam, —At a General Meeting of our Association on 25th November

three schemes were brought forward:—


(1) A scheme of nest adoption.


(2) An inquiry into the possibility of Starlings spreading foot-and-mouth

disease.


(3) A widespread inquiry into the food of our birds of prey.


A number of our birds of prey are faced with the risk of extermination

owing to their nests being robbed every year by egg-collectors and to a certain

extent by the birds being shot by gamekeepers and others.


First of all we shall approach the owners of estates and the lessees of

shoots and ask their permission for making an arrangement with their game-

keepers for the protection of these birds. There should be no difficulty about

this as the birds that we have in mind are so rare that the harm they do to

game is infinitesimal. The gamekeepers would be asked to protect these

nests, and they would receive a certain sum of money when the young left

safely. We would arrange for one of our members to visit each nest at the



