CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES 485 
had to settle a few years ago with the Blakeney fishermen, who were 
convinced that the birds were the cause of the yearly diminishing number 
of flat fish in the harbour. With the fishermen’s co-operation we instituted 
an enquiry into the birds’ food, which was carried out by Dr. Collinge on 
strictly scientific lines, and although the verdict entirely exonerated the 
birds the fishermen remained unconvinced, being quite certain that the 
whole enquiry was ‘ a put-up job.’ 
Abnormal high tides and sandstorms will result in the destruction of 
hundreds of nests and chicks in a few hours. Such natural curtailment 
of numbers probably adds to the vigour of the survivors. After a year of 
abnormal mortality from any cause we have never noticed any decrease 
in the population in the succeeding year. 
Our greatest béte noir is the egg collector : he is a curse and a source of 
continual anxiety to us and involves us in considerable expense. However, 
he stands but a poor chance in this county, for as soon as he arrives word 
is sent round and extra hands are put on. 
GENERAL. 
In what other ways has our protection work had effect ? In the first 
place I am convinced that, speaking only of our own people, the creation 
of these sanctuaries has resulted in a feeling of pride of possession. Outside 
_ of the inhabitants of the immediate coastal villages, Blakeney Point was 
known to but few people in Norfolk before it was bought for the National 
Trust and its beauties and interests brought to light by Prof. F. W. Oliver 
and his research workers. Similarly, not one person in a thousand in 
Norfolk, let alone the rest of England, had ever heard of Scolt Head Island 
before its existence was made known through the local press and sub- 
scriptions invited for its purchase, and that only twelve years ago! Through 
the medium of a wider press and the circulation of our Protection Reports, 
such as are presented to the members of this meeting, both these coastal 
bird sanctuaries have now an almost world-wide reputation. 
Has this publicity had any bad effect upon the birds themselves ? 
I cannot see that it has, and the evidence that I have brought before you 
supports this opinion ; but rather would I say that the sanctuaries have 
created a natural and keen interest in the protection of nesting birds. 
And this is reflected in the subscriptions one receives from all parts of the 
country for our protection fund. In return for their financial support it 
is only fair to subscribers that they should have the pleasure of seeing the 
results of your labours. But if you allow the public to visit your nesting 
grounds you must employ reliable watchers as guides, and to secure such 
men you must be prepared to pay a fair wage and not desert them during 
the winter, when there is much to be done in the way of vermin killing, 
judicious planting, etc. 
So far, we have not restricted the public to the terneries, except during 
the hours between 7 P.M. and 8 a.m., but it may be that we shall be obliged 
to make the nesting ground out of bounds during the height of incubation. 
Monday, September 9. 
Mr. Frank Leney.—The Norfolk Room Dioramas in Norwich Castle, 
their purpose and achievement. 
The Norfolk Room in the Castle Museum has been adapted to illustrate 
_in a realistic manner the Natural History of Norfolk by means of a series 
of well-illuminated dioramas. One of these, measuring 13 ft. in width, 
