30 OCTOBER 1953, Page 7

Focus on Choughs

I will send a brace of pheasants to the reader who produces the most convincing explanation of what bird or birds Shakespeare had in his mind's eye when he wrote (A Mid- summer Night's Dream, Act III, Scene 2).

" Or russet-pated choughs, many in sort, Rising and cawing at the gun's report. Sever themselves, and madly sweep the sky."

This problem, which is in no way simplified by Shakespeare's six or seven other references to the though, has exercised my mind for many years, 'and I feel it is time that something was done to clear it up. Entries, which should not be prolix,