been carried on all the world over for many years past, 

 for no other purpose than the supply of the dorsal 

 plumes for the supposed ornamentation of feminine 

 and military head-gear. In " the trade " these feathers 

 are known as " Ospreys " ; and the thoughtless fashion 

 for them has caused the almost entire extinction of more 

 than one species. I am delighted to believe that in this 

 country at least a very considerable check has been put 

 upon this atrocious business by the action of the Ladies' 

 " Society for the Protection of Birds," an association 

 that cannot be too widely made known, or too highly 

 commended. I would strongly urge all ladies who may 

 honour me by reading these notes to enrol themselves 

 as members of this really beneficent Society, whose only 

 object is the preservation from wanton destruction of 

 some of the most interesting and beautiful of organized 

 creatures. 



To retm-n to my immediate subject. I was assured 

 by the person who has chief charge of my living Collec- 

 tions at Lilford that during the heavy snow-storm of 

 May IS, 1891, he saw one of my Great White Herons, 

 standing on the bank of one of our ponds, seize and 

 devour several of the perishing Swallows and House- 

 Martins that incautiously fluttered within reach, in their 

 vain search for their usual insect-food. 



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