23 APRIL 1942, Page 10

Eggs of Moorhen New sources of food are desirable in

war-time, and among that may be recomm•inded, even by the greatest lover of birds, the eggs of moorhen. These birds are now excessively nume and with their increase (as happens also with rooks and sp they have developed new and unpleasant habits. They have, example, discovered a new passion for fruit, including—within small experience—plums and dessert (not cooking) apples ; and have become destructive of other birds' clutches. In one N district, for example, they have been found picking holes—"ni for wantonness "—in the eggs of wild duck. The moorhen la very large clutch of very edible eggs. Arrangements are being I believe, for increasing the harvest of sea-birds' eggs. It proved at Bempton, which may be regarded as the headquane the industry, that no harm was done to the race of gulls guillemots if the harvesting ceased about June 15th. The bird robbed, will continue to lay up to that date ; and, on the whole, young hatched at the later date appear to flourish more surely their predecessors. Similarly it would probably increase the lation if all the very early clutches of wild duck were taken. young are often hatched before food enough for their proper n ment is available.