6o



here for a quarter of a century. But it is only distinguishable from the

common guillemot of our coasts b}? its stronger bill, and naturalists will

probably think that the report of this capture needs to be confirmed on

good authority.”


I think it would be a very good thing if we could have all records of

rare birds noted or shot, published each month, as they would be most

valuable for reference.


Stanley Brigg.


Since writing the above, I see in the Yorkshire Post for February 8th,

“that a number of Iceland Auks have been picked up at Filey, Yorkshire,

in an exhausted condition.” What are Iceland Auks ?


I feel sure there must be any number of rare birds noted during this last

six or eight weeks, and a record would be most interesting. S. B.


[The Secretary would be very glad to receive and publish notes on any rare birds

observed during the severe weather, by Members of the Avicultural Society.]



BEQUESTS TO THE SOCIETY.



52, Ship Street, Brighton.



Sir,—



iyth January, 1895.



I11 reply to 5-our letter informing me that the Executive Sub-Com¬

mittee have decided to refer Miss Llewelyn’s letter to me for a legal opinion

upon the practicability of her proposal that members should bequeath

their birds to the Society, and for advice as to the best means of carrying

out the idea, I beg to report as follows :—



The Avicultural Society not being a corporate bod}', birds cannot very

well be bequeathed to the Society diredt, and the intervention of trustees

becomes desirable. It is generally most convenient to have two trustees

and no more, perhaps the Secretary and Treasurer might be the trustees.

It would be a very difficult and invidious task for the officers of the Society

to distribute birds bequeathed to the Soeietjc gratuitously among the mem¬

bers, I would therefore suggest that the birds should be sold by tender

to amateur members of the Society only , and that the proceeds of the sale should

form part of the general fund of the Society.


I append a form of bequest, which might be published in the

‘Avicultural Magazine,’ and which those members who desire to insure, as

far as it is possible to do so, that after their death their feathered pets shall

pass into good hands, may lay before their own Solicitors, with instructions

to incorporate the same in their wills, with such modifications as may be

deemed necessar}'.


Yours truly,


Horatio R. Firemer.



To Dr. C. S. Simpson,



Hon. Secretary of the AviCURTURAR SOCIETY.



PROPOSED FORM OF BEQUEST.



I bequeath all my Foreign and British Birds [but not Poultry, Pigeons,

or Canaries) [and all my bird cages and aviary fittings (other than fixtures)]

to the Secretary and Treasurer for the time being of the Avicultural Societj-

for the Study of Foreign and British Birds (free from legacy duty) upon

trust to sell the same to any amateur member or members of the said

Society for such price or prices as can be obtained, and to apply the proceeds

of such sale for the general purposes of the said Society. Provided that no

bird shall be sold to any person not a member of the said Society, or to any

member of the said Society, who shall be a dealer in birds or aviary stores.

And as to the fact of any member being a dealer, the decision of the Com¬

mittee of the said Society shall be final.



