MAY. 119 



or aggressive sentimentalists. Efforts are to be made to start junior 

 branches of the Society, and this appears to me to be a step in the 

 right direction. What we want to get at is the training of the younger 

 generation in the proper groove. To interest people in the Fauna of 

 Britain will do far more good than a whole Blue Book of Laws, and 

 we should endeavour to obtain a system of education whereby Natural 

 History is accorded a more prominent position than it has had in the 

 past. We want to show what there is to be gained by studying the 

 various forms of wild life with which our Country abounds, and 

 moreover, [proving that the cultivation early of a pure and sensible 

 hobby is one of the strongest safeguards against all dangers Let 

 us interest and amuse the young minds, pointing out to them the 

 pleasures to be derived in hunting with a bloodless intention, and let 

 us not be satisfied until we have done our best to get a more general 

 acknowledgment of Natural History introduced into the curriculum 

 of every school in the land. Protection and preservation by Law 

 may do good, but to my mind private enterprise, and personal effort, 

 will be of much more lasting benefit than mere force. 



18th. Warmer, but little sunshine. 



The foliage of the trees and hedgerows just now is, for the most 

 part, greenish yellow and many reddish tints. It will never be more 

 attractive than during the next few days, especially if nice and warm. 



The Chaffinch has found his song beautitully now, and it is quite 

 at treat to listen to him running down the scale, and then up again at 

 the concluding stages. The cadenza at the end of his song is charming. 



Colder towards evening, but Skylark soaring and singing up to a 

 late hour. 



There are an enormous number of Lilies of the Valley in the 

 London streets and shops now. One can obtain a beautiful bunch 

 for the modest "brown." The beautiful snow-white, bell-shaped petals 

 throw out a lovely aroma, and a more exquisite flower is difficult to 

 find, the more especially so when seen growing in Nature's own garden. 

 From whence does the supply of these flowers come into the London 

 markets ? 



19th. Warmer. Skylark singing more joyously than ever. He, 

 too, blithe bird, seems to realise the welcome news which has just 

 reached us of the relief of Mafeking, and small wonder, for is not the 

 Lark a thorough Britisher? 



Readers of my notes will have noticed the lateness of the arrival 

 of our Summer Migrants. Many times when I had hoped to draw 



