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M. Amsler—Recently Imported Bluebirds



young Blue Robins die one after the other until only three or four were

left; but before we had reached this stage my man, who was as keen

and interested as myself, suggested that we were overdoing the meal¬

worms. It is false economy to withhold expensive food from valuable

birds, for dead birds are of no value. I took his advice and completely

cut off their supply of mealworms, from which moment the birds

began to improve.


We had learnt our lesson and in subsequent years my youngsters

only got about six worms each per day. I am glad to say that the

epidemic of deaths has not recurred.


I have at the moment between thirty and forty nest-boxes and logs

hung up in my garden and wood, in addition to which there are a

couple of dozen more in the gardens of two or three obliging friends.


Unless placed in a shaded position, the entrance holes of artificial

nest-boxes should not face south ; and when selecting trees or posts

on which to hang them always bear in mind the possibility of wandering

cats and rats. Also see that the boxes are quite firm and do not shake

with the wind. On several occasions I have had faute de mieux to make

use of Robins’ nests which were in very dangerous positions, e.g. low

down on a bank and possibly near a pond or farm buildings, just the

kind of place where one might expect rats. In such cases I have

smeared Renardine on the branches and grass surrounding the nests.

I believe that creosote is equally efficacious. Whether these substances

keep rats, stoats, and cats away on account of their smell or because

they destroy the scent of the young birds and nest, I do not pretend

to know ; but I have never had a tragedy when taking this precaution.


And now, perhaps, one last word as to foster parents. Redbreasts

are certainly the most reliable and easily found. They can cover five

Bluebirds’ eggs quite comfortably though these are much larger than

their own. No doubt any of the warblers or the Wagtails or the Hedge-

sparrow, on which the Cuckoo is parasitic, might serve the purpose.


Great Tits will hatch Bluebirds, but do not rear satisfactorily ;

this is not for want of trying but rather, I think, because of an unsuit¬

able dietary, possibly one which contains a certain amount of seeds,

kernels, and other vegetable substances which do not suit the young

Bluebirds.


Blue Tits on the other hand appear to be more wholly insectivorous



