27 JUNE 1896, Page 33

[To TEE EDIT01 OF THE " SPECTATOR."]

Sin,—The following instance of "blue-tit" determination to get its own way has taken place in the garden here :—There is a small pump under a yew-tree, which on April 15th was used in watering. The gardeners then pumped out a mossy nest, and did not use the pump again until April 25th, when a second nest—this time with eggs in it—was again pumped out. Early on the morning of April 27th a third nest was pumped out, with one egg in it. The whole thing was then cleaned out by means of a long wire, and a mass of green moss. lay on the ground by the pump. That same evening a fourth nest came to grief, being pumped out at the evening watering. Next morning, April 28th, a fifth neat began to be pumped out. When the head-gardener found that the little creature still persisted, be ordered the pumping to be stopped, and came to give me the whole history. It was, of course, arranged that the pump-handle should be at once fastened up, and drought or no drought, the bird be left in peace. So there she sat till her eggs were hatched, and never minded the curious eyes that so often peered down through the tiny hole at the top, whence the blue head, shining in the dim glimmer_ ing light through the spout, might be discerned. For the last few days, however, only a nestfnl of fluff has been visible.— I am, Sir, &a.,