354 BRITISH BIRDS. 



(b) the notch on the 2nd primary shows well beyond the 

 coverts. 



On a careful examination of a number of specimens, I find 

 that the following further distinction in the primaries holds 

 good : — 



Hen-Harrier. — The 5th primary is as long as the 2nd. 



Montagu's Harrier. — The 5tla primary is considerably 

 (nearly two inches) shorter than the 2nd. H F W 



COMPARATIVE LEGISLATION FOR THE PROTECTION 

 OF BIRDS. 



The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds offer 

 their Gold Medal and 20 Guineas for the best essay or treatise 

 on this subject. The essay should take the form of an epitome 

 of the legislation in force in the various countries of Europe 

 (Great Britain excepted), together with a comparison of such 

 legislation with (a) the law and regulations in force in Great 

 Britain ; {b) the proposals of the International Convention 

 for the protection of birds useful to agriculture signed at Paris 

 on March 19th, 1902 ; (c) the model law of the Audubon 

 Societies adopted by certain of the United States of America. 



Essays, which may be written in either English, French, or 

 German, should consist of not less than 10,000 nor more than 

 25,000 words. They should be sent, post paid, not later than 

 December 31st, 1908 (with the writer's name and address in 

 a sealed envelope) to the Hon. Secretaiy the Royal Society 

 for the Protection of Birds, 3, Hanover Square, London, 

 from whom full particulars of the competition may be had. 



Judges will be appointed by the Council of the Royal 

 Society for the Protection of Birds, and their decision as to 

 the merits of the essays must be regarded as final. 



The writers of essays adjudged first, second, and third 

 may be recommended by the judges for election as honorary 

 life members of the Society. 



The gold medal will be presented at the annual general 

 meeting of the Society in March, 1909. 



CHIFFCHAFF IN LONDON. 



It may be worth while noting that Mr. Ogilvie-Grant and I 

 watched a Chiff chaff (Phylloscopus rujus) on March 23rd, 

 searching for insects in the open space at the back of the 

 Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, W. 



W. P. Pycraft. 



SWALLOW'S NEST BUILT ON A GLASS GAS SHADE. 

 Hanging over a gas burner in a stable at Oakwood, Crayford, 



