No. 180 . 



ABSTRACT OF THE PROCEWDmGS 



OF THE 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 



April 23rd, 1918. 

 A. Ezra, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair. 



The Minutes of the last Scientific Meeting were confirmed. 



Mr. D. Sbth Smith, Curator of Birds, exhibited and made 

 remarks on a Zuhi Head-dress made of the plumes of the male 

 Long-tailed Whydah, Chere progne. 



The Secretary (Dr. P. Chalmers Mitchell, D.Sc, LL.D., 

 F.R.S.) called attention to an advertisement that had recently 

 appeared in the London Press, announcing Fur Sales by Public 

 Auction about to take place in the United States. The sales in 

 question were only examples of what took place annually in 

 London and other important commercial centres. The numbers 

 advertised were smaller than usual, no doubt on account of the 

 War, but they included very large quantities of animals the 

 extinction of which could not be far distant, unless measures 

 were carried out to protect them. In the opinion of the speaker, 

 which was confirmed by the Meeting, there was urgent need for 

 drastic measures to protect Mammals. The protection of Birds 

 appealed to popular sentiment, and was zealously advocated by 

 many influential organisations. The danger that threatened 

 Mammals were even greater, and, on account of their higher 

 intelligence and more sensitive nervous organisation, the cruelty 

 involved in the methods of hunting, trapping, and killing them 

 was incomparably greater. 



* Tliis Abstract is published by the Society at its ofEces, Zoological Gardens 

 Regent's Park, N.W., on the Tuesday following the date of Meeting to which 

 it refers. It will be issued, along with the ' Proceedings,' free of extra charge, 

 to all Fellows who subscribe to the Publications ; but it may be obtained on the 

 day of publication at the price of Sixpence, or, if desired, sent post-free for 

 the sum of Six Shillings per annum, payable in advance. 



