12 DECEMBER 1941, Page 14

Berry Searchers

In spite of war the coming Christmas promises to be at least as well-decorated as its predecessors. The collectors of holly berries have been abroad rather earlier than their wont, and as often they are taking back to the towns the information that berries are few. It does not seem to be within their knowledge that some hollies are male. My own impression is that more than half are so dis- qualified ; or do male hollies, like male children, prevail over female in war? A less constant cause of scarcity is that the birds have got to work rather earlier than usual.