NESTING-BOXES.
[To TUE EDITOR OW TUN "SPECTATOR."J Sin,—Correspondents are still writing to ask if it is too late this season to put up nesting-boxes, and the answer is "No," as the birds which build in holes, with the exception of a few robins, have not seriously begun to nest. Last year a new box fastened to a tree in the Bird Sanctuary, some weeks later , than this date, found a tenant, but there should be no further ielay on the part of those who -wish to make experiments. A most important point to bear in mind, which I have men- tioned, among other hints, in the forthcoming number of the :Selborne Society's Magazine, is to see that the boxes harmonize as far as possible with the surroundings, and all newly exposed wooden surfaces should be stained (say with burnt umber mixed with beer) or rubbed with mud.
With regard to the nesting-pots, in connexion with which there has been an interesting discussion in the Spectator, I would say that recently I saw a number which had been inserted in the stable walls at Ewhurst ; but this was done, I think, rather to keep the sparrows from going into other places, and also to enable their nests to be destroyed if neces- sary. On the other hand, some pots in use at a house in Hounslow were put up by the owner many years ago with the idea of attracting the birds.—I am, Sir, &c.,
WILFRED MARK WEBB, Honorary Secretary of the Selborno Society and Chain:mu of the Brent Valley Bird Sanctuary Committee.
42 Bloomsbury Square, W.C.
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