2/0 Editorial. 



Editorial. 



A Retrospect. — This is only a pleasant task when all 

 thinj^s are favourable, nevertheless, however adverse the cir- 

 cumstances, it should prove profitable if these be boldly and 

 squarely faced. " The times " could not have well been worse, 

 and the year has been a difficult one indeed — there also has been 

 a needless drain upon, not only the resources of the Club, but 

 also upon the time of the honorary ofificials, owint;" to the slack- 

 ness of some members in the payment of their subscriptions, 

 omittini^' those who have been called to the colours. 



Nevertheless, in spite of all difficulties, the volume, com- 

 pleted with this issue, is only behind its predecessors in bulk and 

 the lack of coloured plates; in all round worth, we think, all will 

 aj^Tee that it well holds its own. and we con,2^ratulate the mem- 

 bers, especially the contributors, upon what has been achieved, 

 in the face of almost insuperable difficulties. 



A glance throtigh the volume will show how much we 

 owe to Mr. W. Shore Baily, who has contributed articles and 

 photos to almost every issue, also to Mrs. A. M. Cook for her 

 beautiful drawings which she has given gratis to the Club, as her 

 part that this feature of the Magazine might be maintained. To 

 Dr. Hopkinson we are also indebted for able and comprehensive 

 articles on certain groups of birds, and before leaving for Gam- 

 bia he prepared and left copy for the coming volume, which 

 will be the first of a new series; and the same must be said of 

 the Marquis of Tavistock, also of every contributor and of those 

 who have so generously contributed to the Deficit and Illustra- 

 tion Funds, and none have need to regret their efforts and sacri- 

 fice in the light of what has been accomplished. 



The awful World-War is still raging, and many of those 

 on our roll have made the supreme sacrifice and fallen gallantly 

 on the various fighting fronts in the cause of liberty. King and 

 Country. 



Of the coming volume we will not speak in this tissue, 

 but if the same spirit prevails as during the past year, combined 

 with a determination to remove what has hampered and made 

 more difficult the work of this year, whatever the difficulties we 

 may be called upon to encounter they will be overcome, and a 



