Bird Notes and News 



4*7 



the other in Westminster, on the question 

 of the small cage. The Irish S.P.C.A. won the 

 former case : and the R. S.P.C.A. have at last 

 succeeded in bringing off a conviction against 

 a dealer for keeping Linnets and RedpoUs 

 in cages Tin. by 6in. by 3fin.. and without 

 protection from the sun. The defence was 

 that such cages had been employed for many 

 years and that the birds sang better in this 

 close confinement. Bird-lovers are familiar with 

 the information that birds also sing better when 

 never allowed to see daylight ; and it is much 

 to be hoped that the next decision will be 

 against the practice of keeping Chaffinches or 

 other birds in cages perpetually tied up in 

 black cloths for the purpose of winning in 

 public-house song contests. Meanwhile the 

 judgment of Mr. Chapman should lead to a raid 

 throughout London and other towns. How 



many thousands of wild birds are singing 



their hearts out to-day in boxes of wood and 



wire which scarcely permit them to turn, and 



with every instinct save that of song unsatisfied ! 

 * * * 



The Scottish Committee dealing with the 

 matter appears to be still considering whether 

 any object is served by continuing to allow, as 

 in war-time, an extension of the moor-burning 

 period which allows this to be carried on while 

 birds are nesting in the area. It seems that 

 similar inhumanity is practised in England. 

 A correspondent writes to the Society : — 



" We were at Porlock, Somerset, in April. One 

 morning I was on Gossington Point and lieard larks 

 singing in all directions and saw them running to their 

 nests. Two days later it was a scene of desolation. 

 The burning of the gorse had swept the entire hill-side, 

 the whole down being involved. There could not have 

 been a nest left." 



Bird and Tree Challenge Shield Competition 



VALUE OF THE COMPETITION. 



A Circular Letter on the subject of Bird 

 and Tree work has been sent this spring by the 

 Director of Education for Lancashire (Mr. 

 G. H. Gater) to all Elementary Schools in the 

 area. In the course of it the Director writes : 



" The Committee have been much impressed by the 

 successful work done by Schools in their Area, and have 

 noted with pleasure the stimulus which the scheme 

 has given to Nature Study in the Schools which have 

 participated in it. 



" . . . There are two points which it may be 

 well to emphasise. It is often said that it is useless 

 for a School in an industrial district to participate in 

 this scheme. But as a matter of fact some of the best 

 work in this County is done by Schools in an industrial 

 environment, and among the ' Highly Commended ' 

 Schools this year were two in the heart of the Lancashire 

 coalfield, which proves that if scholars make the most 

 of their opportunities for observation, hoM'ever 

 restricted, they can do well in the scheme. It is 

 also said that a small school cannot hope to muster a 

 good team ; it is certain, however, that a small school 

 can achieve success. Newburgh, which won the Inter- 

 County Shield last year and the County Shield this 

 year, has an average attendance of 59 (including 

 infants), while Buckhurst, another very successful 

 competitor, has an average of only 1 9 scholars. 



" It is evident also that the Examiners, who are most 

 carefully selected, do not lose sight of local conditions, 

 and that they take care that the work is fairly 

 appraised. 



" It is doubtful whether any subject of the elemen- 

 tary school curriculum has such possibilities of arousing 

 interest in natural surroundings, of putting the child 

 on the track of securing firsthand knov/ledge and of 

 confronting him ever with the query ' Why ? ' as 

 are presented by the scheme of Nature Study involved 

 in the Bird and Tree Competition. . . . 



" This work which necessitates the children doing 

 much observation work out of doors, sometimes 

 amidst wild nature, cannot fail to inculcate that love 

 of the beautiful and that regard for Nature's treasures, 

 which make for the highest and best development of 

 the scholars." 



BIRD AND TREE DAY AT BROADLANDS. 



Among many noteworthy Festivals which 

 have been held during the past three months, 

 special place must be given to that of Ridge, 

 winner of the Hampshire Challenge Shield, 

 from the fact that it was, by invitation of 

 Colonel Wilfred Ashley, M.P., and Mrs. Ashley, 

 held at Broadlands, where the first anti- 

 plumage league was founded by Lady Moimt- 

 Temple. The date had to be postponed from 

 April 15th to May 28th on account of the 

 threatened railway strike. Sir William Portal, 

 Bart., who presided, and Mr. A. Trevor-Battye 

 gave interesting and sympathetic addresses, 

 both alluding to the charm and value of the 

 English hedges, the homes of so many birds. 

 If, said Mr. Trevor-Battye, they asked 

 Americans what most struck them in England 

 they would say the Blackbirds and the garden- 

 like appearance of the country. Sir William 

 Portal remarked that all the great painters 

 painted angels with wings and singing ; no 

 other creature but the bird possessed these 

 two characteristics. 



The Director of Education (Mr. D. T. Cowan) 

 said that no subject they had in the schools was 

 more captivating than the study of Birds and 



