62 
HAMLYN'S MENAGERIE MAGAZINE. 
BRITISH BIRDS. 
Having failed in the Monkey Department they 
came to the conclusion that my British Bird De- 
partment was illegal. 
Therefore another Society was approached 
and employed a certain firm of Solicitors to make 
enquiries and report thereon. These Solicitors are 
well-known for their manner and means of pro- 
curing evidence. The ends justify 'the means. 
But if you fail in both nothing remains. Whether 
that very amiable talkative gentleman with a taxi, 
accompanied by a certain official and two friends, 
conoid***" i\^c>\r Viii'f* zi c?sc v.'hen bir r ir> n a Tackdav/ 
jay, Goldfinch, with other birds, let me inform 
them that those birds were the property of the 
late Rajah of Sarawak, they had been in the 
Rajah's aviary for years. It's useless calling up 
the telephone to enquire if I sell British Birds. I 
do not do so. The Trade knows that. 
OTHER DEALERS. 
Whether other dealers are worried in the 
same particular manner I do not know, still should 
any assistance be required at any time, I shall be 
pleased to render all aid possible — financial and 
otherwise. 
"Hamlyn's Menagerie Magazine" still con- 
tinues to exist. 
A well-known Fellow of the Zoological Society 
informed me that shortly after the first number 
appeared a certain member gave it a three months' 
life. 
That's over three years ago. 
If the wish was Father to the thought, he has 
been disappointed 
It has served its purpose. 
It will continue to exist. 
It has enough copy in hand for twelve months. 
The most interesting articles that have ever ap- 
peared in any Magazine devoted to Natural His- 
tory have been published in its pages. This ex- 
cellence will continue. I trust with the new vol- 
ume next year to have a record subscription. 
We both join in hearty good wishes to our 
several readers, and trust by this time next year 
Peace and Goodwill will reign supreme throughout 
the world. 
JOHN D. HAMLYN. 
Christmas, 1917.- 
-©- 
THE SILENT VOLUNTEERS. 
Bv Lieutenant L. FLEMING. 
No less real heroes, than the men who died, 
Are you who helped the frenzied ranks to win, 
Galloping heroes — silently — side by side, 
Models of discipline. 
You, too, had pals from whom you had to part, 
Pals rather 1 young to fight, or else too old, 
And though the parting hurt your honest heart, 
You kept your grief untold. 
Thus in the parting have you proved your worth 
As you have proved it time and time again, 
You, the most human animal on earth 
Nobler, perhaps, than men. 
Nobler perhaps, because in all you did, 
In all you suffered, you could not know why, 
Only you guessed and did as you were bid ' 
Just galloped on — to die. 
Unflinchingly you faced the screaming shell 
And charged and charged, until the ground was 
gained, 
Then falling, mangled — suffering simply Hell 
And never once complained. 
There, where vour life blood spilled around you 
fast, 
Lying unheeded by the surging van, 
You closed your great big patient eyes at last 
And died — a gentleman. 
(From "The National Humane Review.") 
THE LIVE-STOCK TRADE AND 
EXTERMINATION. 
By F. Finn, B.A., F.Z.S. 
The export of British birds to America has 
raised one of the periodical scares about danger 
to our bird life, which is supposed! to be in im- 
minent peril at present, owing to the ravag'es of 
the past winter and to a crusade — rather ill-judged 
perhaps at this time — against birds in defence of 
the crops. Of course, trade is always blamed 
whenever people not concerned in it have a chance; 
considering what Ave as a nation owe to our com- 
merce we seem to have a rather unreasonable 
horror of the shop ! 
As a matter of fact, the danger to our birds 
from the live-stock trade never has been impor- 
tant, and is less than ever now, when there are 
so few men to do' the catching, and so limited a 
demand. The only species that was ever seriously 
reduced by catching for the pet market was the 
goldfinch, and that has now been well protected 
for years. Nevertheless, it cannot be called a 
common bird, and modern conditions are evidently 
not suited for it, as it lives on the seeds of weeds, 
and clean farming naturally interferes with its 
livelihood. 
