13G BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. x. 



scon given his Commission as Second-Lieutenant rising 

 rapidly to the rank of Captain. 



In his spare moments, even within sound of the 

 guns, when in rear for rest purposes, he would take walks 

 and rides through the country to observe the bird-life. 

 He saw a number of Golden Orioles, Crested Larks, 

 Ortolans, etc., and several Harriers. On June 26th last 

 he found the Hobby breeding in a wood quite close 

 to the front line. He reported that Quail were 

 common and that Owls and Kestrels hawked the 

 trenches regularly for rats and mice which abounded. 



Eventually, after many exciting minor engagements in 

 Northern France and several very narrow escapes, he 

 was ordered to another part and was killed in action 

 at the head of his Company. 



In the numerous letters of sympathy received by his 

 family from ofHcers and men who had served with him, 

 as well as from those with whom he had worked in civil 

 life, two points stand out specially, viz. the love and 

 devotion of those who had served vmder him, all of 

 whom pay a lasting tribute to the great personal interest 

 which he took in them and in their welfare and comfort : 

 all '■ the boys '' were devoted to him, and officers and 

 men nicknamed him " Daddy." The other point was 

 his almost reckless bravery, and he was continually 

 being urged to take less risks in the presence of the 

 enemy. 



These two points were typical of this big, genial, great- 

 hearted fellow. 



He died as he would have wished, and his death has 

 been most keenly felt by all his numerous friends, who 

 have lost in him a real and true friend. The memory of 

 Stanley Meares, however, and his cheery companion- 

 ship, will never be forgotten by those whose privilege 

 it was to know him. P.B.S. 



