1922.] Letters, Extracts, and Notes. 399 



The McConnell collection of British Guiana birds. 



This collection, which formed tlie basis of Mr. ChubVs 

 two volumes on ' The Birds of British Guiana,' the second 

 one of which lias just appeared, was made by the late 

 Mr. Frederick Vavasour McConuell when he was residing 

 in that colony. It consists of about 7000 skins, representing 

 over 700 species, and took some 25 years to collect. It has 

 now been presented by his widow, Mrs. McConnell, to the 

 Natural History Museum, and is one of the most valuable 

 additions that have been made to the collection of birds in 

 that institution for some time past. 



Bird Sanctuaries in the London Parks. 



Arrangements have recenth'^ been made by a committee 

 appointed by H.M. Office of Works and presided over by 

 Sir Lionel Earle, K.C.B., to form two small areas in 

 Kensinoton Gardens and Hvde Park into reserves suitable 

 to encourage the nesting of small birds. This is chiefly to 

 be effected by excluding gardeners, as well as the public, 

 and allowing nature to take its own course in tliejnatter of 

 the growth of natural herbage and undergrowth. One of the 

 enclosures is to the north of the Powder Magazine and con- 

 tains in the centre greenhouses and potting-sheds concealed 

 from public view. The other runs along the eastern side 

 of the Serpentine between tlic bridge and tlie fountains. 

 Whitethroats, Willow-Wi'ens, Hedge-Sparrows, Wagtails, 

 and Sandpipers are all expected to take advantage of these 

 enclosures. 



Importation of bird-skins for scientific purposes. 

 From the Board of Trade we have received the followins: 



notice 



"As from the 1st April, 192.2, the importation into the 

 United Kingdom of the plumage of birds not expressly 

 excepted under the Act will be prohibited. The Board of 

 Trade p(iay, however, under Section 2 (4) of the Act ' grant 



