one day we will get an attachment for the camera to go on top of a microscope, because
these fungi are often more exciting and more beautiful at l,000x than they are life-size.
We have a large single-lens reflex Canon EOS (digital, of course) and if anyone feels
able to recommend a particular attachment for attaching to a standard microscope, we
would be very grateful.
The Ex&Soc looms on the near horizon, and 1 must get ready with all the cooking and
baking, and we go to France soon to get supplies of a number of items (not just the
wine!) that are either cheaper, or better quality, than commonly available here. This
year's show promises to be good, but by the time this goes to press the event will be
over. Please put next year's, on Saturday 6th December, 2008, in your new diaries now!
Magpie behaviour
David Bloomfield Hortons, Mascalls Lane, South Weald, Brentwood CM14 5L.T
Over many years I have been mystified by seeing gatherings of Magpies, up to the
typical family grouping size. The only distinguishing feature is the fact that one bird at
a time would jump into the air and land again after rising a foot or so. There never
seemed any interaction with other birds to prompt this, nor any follow-up.
Recently I stopped to see a Stoat hunting among the dry clods of soil which this dry
autumn passes for ploughing. The Stoat came off the plough and took a great interest in
a small area of tussocky grass, and soon a small mammal, mouse size, hopped away to
hide under a large clod in the plough. Immediately a Magpie came and settled on the
clod, too late for a meal. Quickly this bird settled close to the hunting Stoat, followed
soon by another. The Stoat earned on hunting in the usual manner, followed by the
birds. Occasionally if a bird came too close the Stoat would make a quick dash at the
bird in question, which would rise in the air to escape. I did not see the Stoat catch
anything, nor a Magpie snatch anything ahead of the Stoat. However this seems the
obvious reason for the behaviour.
About forty years ago, on a day in the early spring when the weather was mild, dry and
cloudy in late morning, I saw a large group of Magpies noisily flying in and above a
small wood a couple of hundred yards away. All the while they were being joined by
more until there were at least 250. After a quarter of an hour most of the birds drifted
away and all was quiet. Although an interaction between themselves, there was no central
point of action, no physical contact and no coming together or separation. Most of the
birds seemed to be making an excited, but typical, call and the noise was quite
considerable.
8
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 55, January 2008