Birds' communal nesting

28

BIRDS' NESTING.

collection we know not. As regards the latter, he was one of the founders of the " Ipswich Angling Preservation Society," an association arising from Mr. W. K. Tickner's sly introduction to Ransome of a Gipping-poacher, anxious to dispose of a whole barrow-load of coarsefish,spoil of his too-comprehensive drag-nets. Such traffic was naturally anathema to any honest angler, hence the preventive Society resulted from the ire of Robert James.—FRANK WOOLNOUGH.]

BIRDS' COMMUNAL NESTING, ETC.

BY THE REV. CHRIS. GREAVES, M.A.

are a typical East Anglian bird and their wing-spread, when Aying, always attracts attention. I often wonder whether they are (1) upon the increase, (2) no more than holding their own, or (3) actually diminishing ? Such questions are difficult to answer in the absence of any series of observations, such as I hope the Suffolk Naturalists' Society will establish. But, meanwhile, I am glad to think that in general thisfinebird (Ardea cinerea, Linn. ; locally always called Harnser*) is not diminishing in numbers ; for some kindhearted land- or park-owners are their very good friends. On the other hand, I visited the Reedham Heronry in Norfolk, where there is a large Rookery mingled with the herons, a score of years ago and again this year ; and Ifind,by a computation of the nests, that here the latter have certainly diminished.

Local farmers attribute this falling off to the augmented number of the Rooks (Corvus frugilegus, Linn.), who " bore them and occasionally rob their nests of eggs or young birds.

However, I cannot say that I concur in considering this the main reason for diminution there. The Heronry at Walberswick in Suffolk appears to be adding to the number of nests, visible last September ; I am told that one, probably of about the same size, exists near Aldeburgh ; and certainly that at Ufford has, from my own Observation, increased within the last three years.

I am of opinion that Plovers or Lapwings (Vanellus vulgaris, Bech.) are much less numerous than was the casetwenty years ago ; but, now that it is illegal to seil their eggs [unusually abundant on a heath to the north-west of Bury early in May, HERONS

*On 6th April, 1929, we found a fully-grown specimen of this bird, lying in a pasture of the Brandeston marshes, where the species is not uncommon singly. It had been dead a füll month, perhaps killed by our unusually severe spring ; in it were several of the large Burying Beetle, Necrophorus humator, Fab.—F.d.

BIRDS'

NESTING.

29

1923.—Ed.] in the markets, one hopes their numbers will regain the former Standard.

Among our native birds, they are one of the best friends—if not, indeed, quite the best friend—of the farmer.

Düring the present autumn, I have observed larger flocks of Goldfinches (Carduelis elegans, Ste., colloquially always termed King Harry in High Suffolk) within the County than I remember ever to have seen before.

Of rarer birds, both the Greater and the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocofius major and D. minor, Linn. ; both residents) have nested near Ufford ; as also have the Wheatear of which I noted five nests (Saxicola cenanthe, Linn., locally named the Stonechuck) and the Shoveller Duck (Spatula clypeata, Linn.).

Further, the Grasshopper Warbier (Loaistella navia, Bod.) has been observed, along with the Pied Flycatcher (Mitscicapa atricapilla, Linn.), within the same radius.

The Brandeston to Easton Valley of the Deben is a favourite district for Tree Creepers (Certhia familiaris, Linn.) and Nuthatches (Sitta ccesia, Wolf), and even the Wryneck (Iynx torquilla, Linn.) occurs ; the two former are, of course, well established.

Düring the present autumn, so plentiful in hazel-nuts, beech-mast, acorns, etc., I have seen English red Squirrels where I have never noticed him before.

Let us hope his presence signifies an increase among us of such a beautiful and harmless little fellow.

I sincerely trust that he will not be followed and persecuted in Suffolk by the American grey Squirrel (Sciurus cinereus), as has happened in Bedfordshire, Northants, and other counties. Like the Little Owl (Athene noctua, Scop.), the grey Squirrel is an " importation " and by no means persona grata with either naturalist or gamekeeper, because he is far too apt to get out of control and work undue ravages.

Naturalists can do much to encourage the presence of certain species of our commoner birds by putting up nesting boxes in their grounds.

There is no need to buy expensive ones, for they can be knocked together quite well at home ; have several of them put at different heights, with holes of various sizes.

The delicate little Blue. Tits (Parns cceruleus, Linn.) and Goal Tits (P. ater, Linn.) need a small-sized hole, otherwise the Great Tit (P. major, Linn.) and possibly the common Sparrow (Passer domesticus, Linn.) will turn them out.

The Robin (Erithacus rubecula, Linn.) is not at all particular respecting its nesting-place, and will occupy any empty tin kettle for this purpose, or even a jar stuck up in a suitable tree. " Penny " Wagtails (Motacilla luguhris, Tem.) and Fly-catchers (Muscicapa griseola, Linn.) have also nested in my boxes.

I hope every ornithologist will try a few in his garden, for I think that most birds prefer to build in the vicinity of houses if they can find congenial environment.