4196 The Zoologist — October, 1874. 



disregarded, and consequently that there is no need of any legislative inter- 

 ference with the practice. They again repeat their conviction that the only 

 practical mode of checking the diminution of such birds as have been proved 

 to be decreasing is the effectual protection of the adults from destruction 

 during the breeding-season. 7. Your Committee find that while the Sea- 

 Birds Preservation Act continues to work successfully, being not only 

 popular but also effective in its operation, the Wild Birds Protection Act 

 has done little if any thing towards attaining the objects for which it was 

 passed, and in various quarters still gives considerable discontent. 8. Your 

 Committee have once more to point out, as they have done in former 

 Eeports, that the birds commonly known as " Wild Fowl " are subject to 

 very great persecution through the inadequacy of the present law to protect 

 them, that they are rapidly decreasing in number, and that they are not 

 only perfectly innocuous, but of great value as food. Consequently your 

 Committee trust that the efforts they hope to make on behalf of " Wild 

 Fowl" in the next Session of Parliament will obtain a very general support. 

 9. Representations as to the inordinate slaughter of seals which takes place 

 every spring in the North-Atlantic Ocean have been made to some members 

 of your Committee. There can be no doubt that such slaughter carried ou 

 at that season, and with increasing activity, will soon bring these animals 

 to the verge of extermination, as has been the case in so many parts of the 

 world ; and, since their destruction will affect a very large trade, their 

 proper protection seems to be a subject not at all unworthy of the considera- 

 tion of Her Majesty's Government. Your Committee, however, are of opinion 

 that the subject is one lying beyond the powers entrusted to them, since the 

 seals of the North Atlantic can in no sense be termed " indigenous animals," 

 and accordingly refrain from offering any other remark upon it. 10. Your 

 Committee respectfully request their reappointment. 



Shore Birds on the CIcy aud Blakeuey Muds. — On September the 9th 

 I was shooting with some friends on the Cley and Blakency muds, aud we 

 obtained a little stint, a purple sandpiper, a Kentish plover, some pigmy 

 curlews, besides godwits, whimbrel, &c., and other waders which ai'e always 

 to be met with at this season of the year. — J. H. Gitrncij,jun. ; Northrepps 

 Hall, Norwich. 



Arrival of Spring Birds in Nottinghamshire. — March 31st, chiffchaff, 

 Piainworth. April 2nd, sand martin. Rain worth ; 3rd, willow wren, Rain- 

 worth ; 10th, yellow wagtail, Rainworth ; 20th, swallow and wood wren, 

 Eainworth; 21st, flycatcher, Mansfield ; 24th, nightjar, Rainworth ; 25th, 

 cuckoo and corn crake, Mansfield; 26th, house martin and whitethroat,' 

 Blidworth ; 27th, sedge warbler and whiuchat, Rainworth ; 29th, wheatear, 

 Rainworth; 30tb, swift, Mansfield. May 1st, common sandpiper, Rain- 

 worth; 9th, blackcap, Rainworth. — J. Whitaker ; ruiinworth Lodge, near 

 Mansfield, Notts. 



