[To THE EDITOR 011t THE " SPECTATOR.'1
SIR,—Similar earthenware jars to those in the Val d'Aosta described by Mr. Eccles are made in this country. About three years ago I saw some on the buildings of Swallow's Tile Works, near Cranleigh, Surrey ; and noticing that the birds appeared to have freely adopted them for nesting I purchased a few. They were of quite good appearance, and their con- struction was such that they could either he built into the brickwork or be securely hung from nails driven into the wall. Some were provided with alighting ledges, while others were quite plain.
I bad them placed high up under the eaves of my house, and I have since often seen birds going in and out of the pots, using them, I suppose, as convenient shelters; for I do not think the birds have in my case adopted them for nesting, possibly owing to the fact that they are placed in a northerly aspect, although I cannot speak definitely on this point, because the jars are fixed in too high a position to permit of
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