§ 40. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he has any information to confirm the recent Report issued by the Bird Sanctuaries Committee of England to the effect that rare and interesting birds which had previously been. observed within the bird sanctuary in Hyde Park had, since the unveiling of the masonry portion of the memorial, entirely ceased to frequent the sanctuary; and whether, by judicious planting or otherwise, he can do anything to restore the sanctuary to its primary purpose as a home and resting place for birds?
§ Captain HACKING (for The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS)I understand that there is some difference of opinion among birds as to the merits of the memorial, but the majority have loyally accepted the decision of the First Commissioner of Works that the monument must be retained. It appears that the minority, including a chiff-chaff, have migrated to other parts of the Park Four warblers have, however, been seen in the Sanctuary since the unveiling, and it is possible that the young of the migrating birds have taken up their abode at the Sanctuary on the recommendation of their parents.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill my hon. and gallant Friend, at any rate, admit that a large number of birds have been driven away by this piece of sculpture, 1606 and does he not think it desirable that a piece of sculpture that acts as a scarecrow to the birds should be at some other place where its admirers can see it, and where it would not frighten away the birds?
§ Captain HACKINGI do not admit that they have been frightened away by the memorial. When the memorial was unveiled, the popularity of the Prime Minister was such that a large crowd gathered, and that crowd temporarily frightened away the birds.
§ Colonel APPLINIs it not a fact that birds man get used to any kind of scare-crow?
§ Mr. MARDY JONESCan any arrangements be made to discover the cuckoo in the nest?