76 The Field Naturalist' s Quarterly Feb. 



it. As soon as the adder saw us it opened its mouth and the young 

 ones rushed in, all disappearing in a few seconds. Such a sight would 

 be sure to make an impression on the mind of a child, and I have 

 never forgotten it, but could go now to the very spot ; and whenever I 

 think of it the whole scene comes before me, though it happened more 

 than fifty years ago." — Emily Godolphin Osborne, Bishop's Cleeve, 

 Cheltenham. 



(This being the first number, no correspondence is to hand. The 

 above are from recent letters to the editor on British serpents.) 



Young Naturalist's Quarterly Competition. 



In order to encourage the study of natural history and other scientific 

 subjects, the Editor offers prizes every quarter for the best essays sent to 

 him on the prescribed subjects. The competitions are open to all 

 young students and scholars, and are specially intended for the pupils 

 of public schools, colleges, &c., which have natural history and other 

 societies for their scholars. Competitors must send their essays in their 

 own handwriting, together with a statement from their head-master or 

 clergyman certifying the essay to be the original and unaided work of a 

 competitor under nineteen years of age. Essays should not exceed looo 

 words, but may be as short as desired. In awarding the prizes, the 

 Editor, whose decision is final, will take into account both the accuracy 

 of the matter and its arrangement. The results of the competitions will 

 be announced in the following quarter's issue. The successful com- 

 petitor must then select his or her prize from those offered, and inform 

 the Editor at once where the prize is to be sent to. 



The Editor reserves the right to publish any of the essays sent in. 



Note. — The subject of the first competition is, " The Effect Of 

 the Winter Season on British Bird Life." 



Competing essays (with statement of age and originality) must reach 

 the Editor of the ' Field Naturalist's Quarterly,' Grosmont, Pontrilas, 

 Hereford, on or before April 5, 1902. Envelopes to be marked "Com- 

 petition Essay." The prizes will be announced in the next issue of this 

 journal. First prize, any three of following books ; second prize, two of 

 ditto ; third prize, one of ditto : — 



Types of British Animals (Aflalo). 



British Vertebrates (Aflalo). 



A Walk through Zoological Gardens (Aflalo). 



A Year with Nature (Westell). 



Fauna of Shropshire (Forrest). 



British Serpents (Leis;hton). 



The Country Month by Month (Owen and Boulger). 



Norfolk Broads and Rivers (Davies). 



