140 



Mr. Pluiiibridge discovered a Blackbirds' nest in his 

 garden (Anerley) on the 19th IMarcli, with four eggs. 



Mr. Mays writes, on the 29th March : '' I saw the 

 first Whinchat on the 6th March. Is not this unusually 

 early ? " 



More encouragement for members : Miss Craddock 

 has kindly offered a silver medal for the best essay 

 during the year. The Committee wdll award the medal 

 at the end of the year. 



Mr. Vale also offers medals for breeding certain 

 Hj'brids, which please note in reading his lecture. 



Do not forget that I am anxiousl}' waiting for some 

 wild bird notes. 



Will members please note that letters on all matters 

 connected with the Club are read by me as Hon. vSec. at 

 tlie monthly Committeenieetings, and I should be glad 

 if matters intended to be private were sent separately. 

 Latterl}' I have frequently had to read letters, parts of 

 which were on business, and parts private. 



Sir, — ^As one of the oldest members of the N. B. B. & 

 M. C, I should like to hear the opinion of our members 

 on the proposition of Messrs. Fiostick and Sandy, which 

 was adopted at the last meeting of the Committee. I 

 doubt if the Committee have the power to add such a 

 rule ; anyhow, the fact remains, and until it is rescinded 

 our members will be unable to compete for our medals 

 at the Crystal Palace Shows. 



INIessrs. Frostick and vSandy consider (and rightly, 

 too) that, having paid their subscriptions, they are 

 entitled to compete at any vShows at which the Club 

 medals are offered; but it does not follow that the other 

 140 members should be prevented from competing for 

 their medals at two of the principal Shows of the 

 season because two members choose to run amuck into 



