THE BRENT VALLEY BIRD SANCTUARY.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR...1
have pleasure in saying that during the nesting season which has just come to a close the Brent Valley Bird Sanctuary has been more successful than ever before. There have been seven or eight pairs of nightingales, four of which are known to have reared their young, and it is probable that the other broods, though not discovered, have also flown. The nests of almpst all species that commonly occur were found in very greatly increased numbers. For instance, where there were four or five chaffinches' nests a year ago, this seagon therelare been thirty or forty, and where one box contained a tree-sparrow's nest, a dozen or more have been occupied. The nuthatches which made their appear- -auce last year have reared eight young ones. Two species new to the Sanctuary have also bred,—namely, the wryneck and the redpoll.
There is no doubt but that these satisfactory results are directly due to the care and vigilance of the keeper, Mr. Harry Quarter- man, but it is the kind contributions that allow of his services being retained. I have also pleasure in announcing that the Council of the Selborne Society has sent me a donation of twenty guineas, which will head tho list of subscriptions which I am now Inviting, together with orders for nesting-boxes (of the patterns used in the Sanctuary), which the keeper will occupy his time in making during the autumn and winter months.—I am, Sir, &c., HILDA E. WEBB,
Hon. Secretary Bird Sanctuary Committee.
" Odstoek," Hanwell,
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