32 



BIRD NOTES AND NEWS. 



In both Scotland and Wales colonies of 

 Common, Lesser, and Roseate Terns have 

 been protected by watchers. 



In the nortli of England, in consequence 

 of raids made in previous years on the breed- 

 ing-places of Buzzards, Ravens, Peregrines, 

 and other birds, two watchers were employed. 

 One brood was lost through the parent-bu^d 

 being shot on a distant grouse-moor, but 

 otherwise the results have been satisfactory. 

 It is eminently satisfactory also to know that 

 the Manchester Corporation are intent on 

 preserving the M'ild birds of thsir Thirlmere 

 estate, and to allow on it neither collectors 

 nor gamekeepers. 



In the south of England, the Dungeness 

 district has again had two watchers, and as 

 the protected area has been wisely enlarged 

 through the action of the East Sussex 

 County Council, it will be necessary to em- 

 ploy additional help next season if the work is 

 to be done effectually. Norfolk, Kentish and 

 Ringed Plover, Common and Lesser Tern, 

 Redshanks, Mallards, Teal, and Shovellers 

 hatched off their broods in safety. Oyster- 

 catchers frequented the beach, but did not 

 build, and the Herons did not nest this 

 spring. A colony of Common Terns nested 

 in the full glare of the Lighthouse lamps, and 

 some of the Kentish Plover settled down to 

 housekeeping quite indifferently in the line 

 of the shells from the big guns. Avocets, 

 HoopoeS; and Black Terns were seen during 

 the summer. 



The rarer birds of Devon, Dorset, Corn- 

 wall and the Isle of Wight have been specially 

 " watched," on account of the known inten- 

 tions of collectors to secure either birds 

 or eggs. Useful help was given by the 

 Coastguard, especially in Cornwall and the 

 Isle of Wight. Choughs, Ravens, Buzzards, 

 Peregrines and other species have been 

 preserved. In one district, where young 



Peregrine Falcons have been systematically 

 taken, for sale, the Inspector found out, 

 watched and warned the offender, and had 

 the satisfaction of seeing the birds safely 

 fly before he left the place. In another 

 county it was ascertained that two young 

 Falcons had been taken from the nest by a 

 lad of fourteen, who was lowered over the 

 cliff by a soldier, the idea being to sell the 

 birds for falconry. Before the offence was 

 traced, the offender liad left tlie Battery, 

 time-expired, but the Officer in command 

 has given orders that no wild birds are to 

 be interfered with in future. The boy was 

 not prosecuted. The birds were confiscated 

 and were sent by the police to the Zoological 

 Gardens in London, for, having been taken 

 from the nest when only just hatched, 

 they would, if released, have been unable to 

 feed or fend for themselves. 



Some account of the work of the Society's 

 Inspector among the bird-catchers was given 

 in the last number of Bird Notes and News. 



Active work of this kind has been rendered 

 possible only by special subscriptions and 

 donations. It is necessarily expensive, as 

 thoroughly trustworthy men must bs engaged 

 and properly remunerated. Railway and 

 other expenses are also heavy. The Society 

 is convinced that in no other way can the 

 law be effectually maintained, as regards 

 either rare species, on which the trading 

 collector has always a covetous eye, or the 

 friendly little birds which give charm and 

 song to our country and are so direly perse- 

 cuted by the bird-catcher. An earnest 

 appeal is therefore made to all who do not 

 as yet support the ivork, for subscriptions 

 and donations either to the general fund or 

 the Watchers^ branch. If a regular income 

 could be guaranteed, experienced Inspectors 

 could be permanently engaged, and do much 

 excellent work throughout the year. 



