112 



Bird Notes and News 



The allusion to fruit-growing suggests 

 the experience of a gardening correspon- 

 dent who relates the story of a wired-in 

 enclosure containing his bush-fruit and 

 thus protecting them from birds all the 

 year : First year, splendid crop, jubilation ; 

 Second year, riddled leaves, poor crop, 

 indignation ; Third year, bushes blighted, 

 caterpillar triumphans, no crop, lamenta- 

 tion. 



IN THE COURTS 



Trapping Racing Pigeons. — At Willesden, 

 on September 1st, Charles Byford, a Harlesden 

 youth, was fined 25s. for trapping racing 

 pigeons belonging to the National Homing 

 Union. Defendant said he had been trapping 

 pigeons for about a year, and it was stated 

 to be a common ofEence. 



The Bird Fancier. — At Portsmouth^ on 

 September 3rd, three foreign dealers were 

 convicted of cruelty to captive birds. In 

 one instance there were about 50 birds on 

 the premises, and a Linnet was in a cage 

 6| by 4 by 7j inches. Defendant said the 

 cage was " of the usual type." — At Sutton, on 

 August 31st, Edward Jaquest was fined 20s. 

 He had 12 Linnets in a cage 24 in. by 9 in. by 

 6| in., and said this was the " standard " 

 size for two dozen birds ; one was dead. 



Caged Goldfinches. — At Fmmlingham, on 

 September 9th, Robert Darnell was convicted 

 of having recently-taken yoimg Goldfinches 

 in his possession. Evidence was given by 

 Mrs. Edward Clood, local hon. sec. for the 

 R.S.P.B., and by Mr. J. B. Watson, a Fellow 

 of the Society. The caged birds were on 

 defendant's premises, and he afterwards said 

 he caught them on a tree in his garden and had 

 sent them to his son at Leamington. 

 (Evidently this man should also be prosecuted 

 and the birds confiscated and liberated.) 

 The Bench dismissed the case with a caution 

 (although this alternative is not given by 

 law in respect of scheduled birds). 



Taking Eggs. — At Southport, on July 4th, 

 Alexander Reid was fined 40s. for taking 

 Tern's eggs at Ainsdale on June 4th. 

 Questioned by a Watcher for the R.S.P.B., 

 he denied having taken them, and when 

 made to produce them said he did not trouble 

 to read the warning notices. — Three boys 

 were also fined 30s. each for taking a number 

 ofi on the same area. Among them they had 



stolen about 20 eggs before being chased and 

 caught by the Watcher, the possible penalty 

 being £1 per egg. — At Cupar Sheriff Court, 

 on July 17th, Alexander Meldrum was ordered 

 to pay 25s. for taking 16 Tern's eggs from 

 Tentsmuir, owned by the Dundee Corporation. 



The Royal Society 

 for the Protection of Birds 



82, VICTORIA STREET, LONDON, S.W.I 



PreszJent: Her Grace The DUCHESS OF PORTLAND 



Hon. Treasurer: The Rt. Hon. EARL BUXTON G.C.M.G. 



Chainttan of Council: Sir MONTAGU SHARPE, K.C.. D.L. 



Hon, Secretary: FRANK E. LEMON, Esq., M.A., LL.B., 



J.P.. C.A. 



Secretary: Miss L. GARDINER 



The Royal Society (or the Protection of Birds 



provides Bird Rests at Lighthouses, Challenge Shields 

 and Prizes for Bird and Tree Competitions in the 

 Pvlementary Schools, Watchers to safeguard rare 

 birds, Educational leaflets and lectures, and is now 

 engaged in an earnest endeavour to stop the destruction 

 of Sea-birds caused by waste oil discharged into the 

 sea, and to preserve Wild Birds from extermination 

 at the hands of Plume-hunters, Bird-catchers, and 

 ruthless Egg-collectors. 



The R.S.P.B. has framed and obtained Five important 

 Acts for the Protection of Wild Birds in the United 

 Kingdom, and has helped to secure many County 

 Council Orders. 



The R.S.P.B. facilitates arrangements for Bird 

 Lectures, Meetings, and Entertainments, by lending 

 Lantern Slides (from its collection of 1,000), typed 

 Lectures and suitable Songs. 



Birds have so many foes that they need the help 

 of generous and courageous friends 



Any person interested in promoting the objects of the 

 Society, and willing to abide by the rule to refrain 

 from wearing the feathers of Wild Birds, except those 

 of the Ostrich, and of birds killed for food, is therefore 

 cordially invited to become a Fellow, by subscribing 

 an annual sum of not less than one guinea, or a 

 Member by an annual subscription of not less than 

 five shillings. 



Cheques, Postal Orders, etc., to be sent to the Hon. Secretary, 

 Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, 82, Victoria Street, 

 S.W.I, and crossed Westminster Bank. 



Bird Notes ahd News (issued quarterly) will 

 be sent post free to any address for 28. 6d. per annum, 

 payable in advance. 



To Members of the Society subscribing 5s. and 

 upwards per annum it is forwarded gratis and post 

 free. 



Printed by VTacher & Sons, Ltd., Westminster HonBe, 

 S.W.I— 8342— and published by the Royal Society fob 

 THB Pbotbction Or BiBDS, 82, Victoria Stre«t, S.W.l. 



