3(3 



BIRD NOTES AND NEWS. 



left a trap set on the nest. The R.S.P.B. at once 

 communicated with the police authorities, and were 

 informed in reply that the one man being "assis- 

 tant gamekeeper " for the owner of the land and 

 the other a farmer with a right of pasturage, both 

 were '' exempt from the provisions of the law " ; 

 and further that Ormrod " considers he was only 

 doing his duty." The bird being scheduled by the 

 West Yorkshire Protection Order (only two or 

 three pairs are known to exist in the whole county) 

 the first statement was inaccurate ; and persons 

 who consider it their duty to break the law should 

 be prepared to take the consequences. The 

 Society accordingly wrote to the Chief Constable, 

 and the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union also took up 

 the matter. Comments on the case appeared in 

 the Press, and eventually the County Council in- 

 stituted a prosecution, their solicitor stating in 

 Court that the attempt had aroused much feeling 

 on account of the rarity of the birds. The 

 newspaper correspondent gave evidence as to 

 defendant narrating the matter to him and asking 

 him to put it in the papers. For the defence it was 

 now stated that the defendant only shot at a rock 

 to use up his last cartridge, and that the birds were 

 at a height out of range of gunshot. The Bench 

 gave him the benefit of the doubt, observing that 

 the publicity given would let the public know that 

 the birds were scheduled. 



Bird-catching. — At Dublin, on August 15th, 

 two men were summoned for being in possession 

 of young birds (Goldfinches, Linnet and Lark), on 

 June 7th. They had the birds in a covered cage, 

 and were also carrying a net. Fined £1. 



Using the Catapult. — At Ashby (Leicester- 

 shire), on August 8th, a collier was ordered to pay 

 the costs, 8s., for being in possession of a young 

 Thrush on June 24th. He was seen to shoot the 

 bird with a catapult and put it in his pocket, and 

 he omitted to appear when summoned for the 

 offence. 



The Royal Society for the Protection 

 of Birds, 



:), hanover square, london, ii'. 

 Founded 1889. 



Incorporated under Royal Charter, igoj. 



Any person interested in promoting the objects of 

 the Society and willing to abide by the Regulations 

 may be enrolled as follows : — 



Fellow, by subscribing an annual sum of not 

 less than One guinea (,£1 is.), or by com- 

 pounding for life by a donation of Twenty 

 guineas (^21). 



Member, by subscribing an annual sum of not 

 less than Five shillings (5s.), or by compound- 

 ing for life by a donation of Five guineas 

 US 5s.) 



Every Fellow and Member is, after election, 

 entitled to receive a copy of every publication 



issued by the Society, and to attend and vote at 

 all General Meetings of the Society. 



Associate, (a) by subscribing an annual sum of 

 not less than one shilling (is.), or compounding as 

 a Life Associate by payment of twenty-one shillings 

 (2 is.) ; (b) by paying a sum of twopence to cover 

 cost of registration. 



Associates receive cards on joining ; Fellows 

 and Members receive certificates of election. 



WORKERS' CONFERENCE. 



A Conference of Hon. Local Secretaries and 

 other workers of the Society will be held on 

 November 15th, at the Empress Club, Berkeley 

 Street, London, W. Any suggestions for discus- 

 sions will be welcomed, and may be sent to the 

 Hon. Secretary, at 3, Hanover Square, W., from 

 whom particulars and invitation cards may be 

 obtained in due course. 



" THE WAITS." 



The Society's Christmas Card for 19067 has been 

 specially designed by Sir Francis Carruthers Gould 

 (" F. C G."), and will be ready shortly. 



With (or without) Calendar for 1907. Price, one 

 Card, 2d., by post, 2ld. ; one dozen Cards, 2s. post free. 



Copies of last year's Card, painted by Mr. Thorburn, 

 may also be had, price 2d. each. Packets of twelve 

 assorted Cards (three designs) is. 6d. 



NEW LEAFLETS. 



No. 56.— The Queen and "Osprey" Plumes. 



Text of the Society's memorial to Queen Alexandra, 

 and Her Majesty's reply. Price is. per 100. Special 

 edition, 6d. per doz. 



No. 57. Bird-catching and Bird-caging. By John 



Carey. Illustrated. Price id. each, 9d. per dozen. 



No. 58. The Society and its Work. Reprinted 

 from Bird Notes and News. Price 2d. per dozen, 

 is. 6d. per 100. 



Reading Cases for Bird Notes and News can be 

 obtained from the office at a cost of Is., including 

 postage. They will be found very useful to keep the 

 numbers together, and also for use in Public Libraries. 



Bird Notes and News (issued quarterly) will be 

 sent post free to any address for is. per annum, payable 

 in advance. 



To Members of the Society subscribing 5s. and 

 upwards per annum it will be forwarded gratis and 

 post free. 



Printed by Witherby & Co., 326, High Holbom, W.C., and 

 published by the Royal. Society for the Protection of Birds, 

 3, Hanover Square, London, W., from whom copies may be 

 obtained, price ad. each. Double numbers, 3d. 



