Sir, - On the wildlife agenda it looks as though the poor old magpie is getting a bad Press lately in some readers' letters. They want him classed as vermin and exterminated.

Of course he is a predator, a parasite and a scavenger but that's just his nature, which he can't help. What seems to anger or frighten is that he seems to be on the increase. But that may not be true. It may be only that, as an opportunist, he is moving from the far-off fields, woods and moors to suburbs where the scavenging is better?

He is also being compared with the mink, that invader from the new world which is doing much damage to a lot of other small, native wildlife.

That isn't very fair for, as far as I know, the magpie may have been deemed native to this country for countless generations and, taking his toll of the wildlife as every parasite must, has never hounded to extinction any other species.

To me it would make as much sense to class the dainty little robin as vermin for he is a ferocious little predator as well, as are nearly all birds.

R LEWIS

Dennison Crescent

Birtley.

Partridge poser

Sir, - It would seem that we have been "adopted" by a pair of partridges. Nothing unusual in that you might think, game birds often visit gardens in the country, except that we live in central Richmond.

These two beautifully marked birds are very tame and allow us to feed them regularly throughout the day. So much so that my wife isn't getting anything done.

They happily tolerate most of the other birds that visit us but become alarmed when crows and jackdaws put in an appearance. Disappearing at dusk they return each morning and wait in the garden to be fed.

We don't understand what's going on. Perhaps your readers or Nicholas Rhea could enlighten us.

OLIVER BLEASE

Newbiggin

Richmond

Airport concern

Sir, - Re "Regeneration team grows stronger" (D&S, Sept 26), I wonder what the Teesside Airport plans are. As a resident of Picton who is suffering pylon misery, will the regeneration of the airport bring more? For instance, will there be an increase in air traffic? Where will the flight path be? Will those affected be consulted or just told: Tough. It's going ahead. I see Mr Graham doesn't live in the area so will he care?

DOROTHY ASKEW

Engadine,

Picton.

Service missing

Sir, - I refer to your report about the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton (D&S, Sept 19). No mention was made about the lack of dialysis treatment there. My late husband had this treatment this year and had to go three times a week, three hours each time to Darlington Memorial Hospital. He was away at least six hours each time due to delays with getting transport from home. As he was suffering from cancer at the time you will understand his worry about this.

D TODD

Romanby Road,

Northallerton.

Holy tariff

Sir, - On the subject of the £3,300 electricity bill for a church with one socket in Great Ayton, did it not occur to the good vicar and his treasurer that they were being charged for the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, calculated, of course, on an ascending extra-terrestrial tariff?

NORMAN W LESLIE

Cambridge Avenue,

Marton in Cleveland