45 [Vol. xiii. 



as a protective measure in the case of the Kite the resolution 

 appears to have had no effect. The following notes are from 

 the pen of Dr. J. H. Salter, and it will be seen that there 

 exists even now a market for every nest that can be taken 

 at £o apiece. Who is responsible for this state of things ? 

 For ten years past at least this nest-harrying business has 

 been systematically carried on ; yet there is no cessation in 

 the demand. Does it arise from wealthy collectors who are 

 not members of the Union ? If so, the resolution becomes a 

 mere ' self-denying ordinance ' and is of no practical value. 

 When it is remembered that every pair is regularly robbed 

 twice a year it is evident that there is a large body of 

 collectors who are indifferent to the action of the B. O. C, 

 or else that the extermination of the species is sought as a 

 speculation to enhance the value of the eggs already acquired. 

 Nest-watching in this district is attended with peculiar diffi- 

 culties, as will be seen from Dr. Salter's notes, but something 

 may yet be done if the landowners can be convinced of the 

 importance of preserving this splendid bird. For this reason 

 Mr. Hartert has kindly consented to bring the matter before 

 the B. O. C. as it is proposed to take steps before the nesting- 

 season commences, and the Annual Meeting of the B. O. U. 

 falls too late in the year for the purpose. 



" Clifton Vicarage, " FRANCIS C. R. JoURDAIN." 



Ashburne, Derbyshire, 

 Feb. 16, 1903." 



' ' I take the present opportunity of enlisting the sympathies 

 of members of the B. O. Club on behalf of the few remaining 

 Welsh Kites. For all practical purposes the Kite now 

 breeds nowhere in the British Islands but in a very limited 

 district of South Wales. It is difficult to speak with cer- 

 tainty as to the exact number which remain, but there are 

 certainly three, and probably five or six pairs, — eight would 

 be the outside limit. Taking the British Islands as a whole, 

 the Kite is thus one of our rarest resident Raptores. Though 

 thus reduced, its numbers do not appear to have decreased 



