16 



Bird Notes and News 



carried on by schoolboys and so-called ' sparrow-clubs,' 

 has destroyed millions of our most useful insectivorous 

 birds. I reckon from my own experience as a land- 

 owner that we are losing thousands of pounds yearly 

 by our insane laisser-faire policy in a matter which so 

 closely concerns food production. 



" The Board of Education ought to take the thing 

 in hand at once. As it is, hardly a child knows the 

 difference between the house sparrow, whose nest is 

 always out of reach, and the hedge sparrow, whose 

 nest is unfortunately easily found." 



Mr. J. S. 0. Robertson Luxford and the Rev. 

 J. P. Bacon Phillips comment on the defoliation 

 of oak trees by caterpillars, the former writing 

 from Robertsbridge :— 



" The reason for this destruction is absence of birds. 

 A main cause of absence of birds is the fact that their 

 nests, eggs and young are ruthlessly destroyed by boys, 

 all and sundry, everywhere, under pretence that they 

 are acting under Government authority. 



" I have read speeches made by persons in authority 

 urging the extermination of sparrows. I have long 

 taken an interest in birds and watched sparrows feeding 

 their young. They will have two, or even three, 

 broods a year of eight each, and they will feed them 

 almost entirely during the season on caterpillars. 



" Sparrows in this part of the country have dis- 

 appeared. I never see one near my house now. And 

 very few other birds either, except jays and magpies. 

 The caterpillars have the field to themselves." 



BIRD AND TREE (ARBOR DAY) 

 COMPETITION. 



All Essays for this year's Competition 

 should reach the Secretary of the Society by 

 September 1st. Where it is not possible to 

 have them written and read by local judges 

 so soon as this, an intimation should reach 

 the office, in order that the judging may be 

 put back for the arrival of the full number of 

 papers from that county. 



It has been impossible to record the many 

 and successful celebrations held by competing 

 schools throughout a time ranging from a 

 week or so after results were known to close 

 upon the date for writing the new year's 

 essays. It is in no depreciation of numerous 

 admirable programmes and delightful days 

 that the following programme of a Lancashire 

 school's doings is quoted, but rather as an 

 instance of a singularly complete and appro- 

 priate festival, which may serve as suggestion 

 to those schools that ask for hints for Bird 

 and Tree Day. It comes from Goosnargh 

 Whitechapel : — 



" The children assembled at 12.30, and the various 

 school groups were photographed. Then followed a 

 football match for the boys and all kinds of games for 

 the girls. Tea was jjrovided in the school at 3.45, after 



which many parents came for the concert. The 

 children performed " A Midsummer Eve " (Mrs. 

 Suckling), the stage being effectively dressed with 

 boughs to resemble a wood and the children prettily 

 dressed for their parts. Songs and recitations, chiefly 

 bearing on Nature, were also given. The Headmaster 

 explained the aims of the Society and the objects of 

 the scheme, the best essays were read, the Society's 

 awards presented, and other books to the value of 

 £8 Avere also given. Sports were held in the playing- 

 field from 6.45 to 8.45. 



" The Enchanted Wood," also by Mrs. 

 Suckling (music by Miss Clementine Ward) 

 was performed at the Boscombe girls' highly 

 successful festival ; and " The Law of Love " 

 formed part of the programme at Great Alne 

 (Warwickshire Shield- winner). Many thanks 

 are due to the Teachers, and the support and 

 co-operation of local residents in presenting 

 awards and giving encouraging addresses 

 has been greatly appreciated. 



The Pope, who is stated to be fond of birds, 

 has, it is announced, caused to be issued to all 

 parish priests a circular letter instructing them 

 to dissuade boys from the evil practice of 

 robbing birds' nests and snaring birds, and to 

 preach from the pulpit against all forms of 

 cruelty to animals. His Eminence will find 

 work enough of this kind awaiting the Church 

 in Italy, but there is ample need for similarly 

 practical effort on the part of the clergy of 

 Protestant and avowedly humane England. 



AN 



ABC OF COMMON BIRDS 



A pocket Guide to the commoner Inland Birds of Britain 



With short and simple descriptions from which 

 they may be identified by the unlearned ; their 

 local names ; and brief notes on the food they 

 eat that may be regarded as " pro " or " con ' 

 the interests of husbandman and gardener. 



16mo. 64 pages. Price 6d., by post 7dl. 

 Royal Society for the Protection of Birds 



23, QUEEN ANNE'S GATE, S.W.I. 



Bird Notes and News (issued quarterly) will 

 be sent post free to any address for Is. 6d. per annum, 

 payable in advance; single numbers, 4d. 



To Members of the Society subscribing 5s. and 

 upwards per annum it is forwarded gratis and post 

 free. 



Printed by Vacher & Sons, Ltd., Westminster House, 

 S.W.I— 81160— and puMi.shed by the Boyal Sooiety for 

 THH Protection of Birds, 23, Queen Anne's Gate, S.W.I. 



