10 MAY 1913, Page 18

BARK-STRIPPING BIRDS.

I To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] Sris,—I was staying in a house last week in front of which was a row of lime-trees. One at least of these trees was attacked by certain small birds, They worked away till they had got the bark of the end shoots off in strips, leaving a foot or more of white wood. The strips were taken away after being left hanging for awhile. Can you or other readers of the Spectator give me an idea of who the delinquents were ? I suggested Passer vulgaris, but my hosts thought the tails were longer than our mutual friend's. What did they want the strips of bark for ? Probably nests. But a coil of bark cannot be comfortable to sit upon.—I am, Sir, &c., Woodspeen Grange, Newbury, Berks t F. W. THOYTS. May 5th, 1913.