10 JANUARY 1920, Page 14

A HYBRID ?

[To THE EDITOR or TELE SPECTATOR."]

Peveril Turnbull's mystery bird (Ringlets) is pro- bably a blackbird pure and simple. About four years ago a pure white blackbird could be seen in the gardens in Upper Richmond Road, Putney. I never got near enough to determine its sex; but what I think is its progeny may possibly yet be seen on Wimbledon Common. Two years ago, and also last year, I saw black and white blackbirds there: The last that I saw was the most beautiful, and resembled the bird of which your correspondent writes. It was pure black, with clearly marked circular patches of pure white. The white patches were largest round the neck and throat, tapering off in smaller white circles over the shoulders of the wings and breast.—I am,

Sir, he., Wit. WILLIAILSON. 12 Larpent Avenue,,Putney, S.W.