43 



BIRD NOTES AND NEWS. 



who was summoned on August 31st for cruelty to 

 decoy sparrows. Defendant used the decoys in 

 netting birds, and caught up four together, crushing 

 them in his hand with brutal cruelty. Many birds had 

 been used as decoys, and had their legs cut with 

 string. King said he had the farmer's permission, 

 and sold the sparrows for 45 d. a dozen. The Mayor 

 said it was hardly possible to imagine more brutal 

 treatment, and it was a question whether defendant 

 should be allowed the option of a fine. Time for 

 payment was refused. 



BIRD PROTECTION IN WINTER. 



ORDERS for the protection of certain birds through- 

 out the year are in force in thirty-eight County 

 Council areas in England and Wales, and in every 

 county, with two exceptions, in Scotland. It is 

 hoped that Hon. Local Secretaries and members 

 of the Society in these districts will kindly make 

 known as widely as possible the fact that bird 

 protection does not end with Close Time. Sunday 

 protection, in force in nineteen County Council 

 areas, also relates to the whole of the year. 



LECTURE SEASON, 1904-5. 



The Society's collection of lantern slides has been 

 considerably augmented by the purchase of new 

 slides, as well as by the gift of the Sennett collec- 

 tion ; and it is found necessary to revise the regu- 

 lations governing the loan of slides for lectures. 

 Last season they were in great request, and 

 accordingly much time and trouble was involved 

 in the issue of the selections chosen by the different 

 lecturers. In some cases the slides were used for 

 the illustration of lectures not directly connected 

 with the Society or its work ; and not only was no 

 contribution sent to the Society, but the actual cost 

 of supplying the slides was not defrayed. It has 

 therefore been considered advisable to fix the fees 

 to be paid for the use of the Society's slides ; and 

 particulars and forms of application can be obtained 

 from the Secretary. 



COUNTY COUNCIL ORDERS. 



The following Orders have been issued since July 1st, 

 1904:— 



Wiltshire, July 7th. [B.C.E.F.S.] This amended 

 Order extends Close Time to September 1st, gives 

 Sunday protection in certain districts, and protects 

 plovers' eggs after April 15th. A number of birds are 

 protected all the year, including the Stone Curlew, 

 Goldfinch, Owls, Kingfishers, and Woodpeckers. 



Huntingdon, July 15th. [B.C.E.F.S.] Adds the 

 Heron to the fully protected birds. 



Derbyshire, July 20th. [B.C.E.F.S. ] Extends the 

 lists of scheduled birds and of eggs protected. Protects 

 Owls, Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, and Bittern all the 

 year. Gives Sunday protection to certain species. 



County of Dublin, August 1st. [E.] New Order. 



London, August 15th. [B.C.E.F.S.] Renewed 

 Order. 



West Sussex, September 1st. [A. B,C.E.F,S.] Renewed 

 Order. 



THE DECREASE OP SWALLOWS. 



The continued serious decrease in the number 

 of swallows, which is noted not only in Great 

 Britain, but also on the Continent, was discussed 

 at the meeting of the Committee of the Society on 

 July 15th. The decrease is attributed chiefly to 

 the extensive destruction of the birds for millinery 

 purposes, and for the table, and it is practically 

 certain that they are netted on migration both in 

 spring and autumn. It is not, however, easy to 

 ascertain at what place or places, and at whose 

 instigation, these wholesale captures are made ; 

 and the Committee decided to prosecute further 

 active enquiries on the subject in France and Italy. 



CHRISTMAS CARD. 



Now Ready. 

 "THE SONG OF THE SEASON." 

 By the kindness of Mr. J. MscWhirter, R.A., the 

 Society's Christmas Card for 1904 is illustrated with 

 reproductions in black and white of his two charming 

 pictures, "A Winter Song" and "The Blackbird's 

 Song." 



Price, one card, 2d. ; one dozen cards, is. 6d. 



"OSPREY" PLUMES, REAL AND 

 " ARTIFICIAL." 



By W. P. Pycraft, A.L.S., F.Z.S. 



Leaflet No. 51, issued by the Society for the Pro- 

 tection of Birds. Illustrations from photographs. Copies 

 may be had at 4d. per doz., 2s. 6d. per 100. 



PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. 



" Birds in their Seasons," by J. A. Owen (Routledge 

 & Sons, 2s. 6d. nett). A brief popular account of 

 British birds, with 12 coloured illustrations by A. F. 

 Lydon. 



"The Animals' Friend" (G. Bell & Sons, 2d. monthly) 



"The Animals' Guardian" (13, Regent Street, id 

 monthly). 



"The Humanitarian" (Humanitarian League, id 

 monthly). 



"Directory of State Officials and Organizations con 

 cerned with the Protection of Birds and Game ' 

 (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Division of Bio 

 logical Survey ; Circular No. 44). 



Next Issue. — The next Number of Bird Notes 

 and News will be ready on December 1st, 1904. 



Reading Cases for Bird Notes and News can be 

 obtained from the office at a cost of is., including 

 postage. They will be found very useful to keep the 

 numbers together, and also for use in Public Libraries. 



Bird Notes and News will be sent post free to any 

 address for is. per annum, payable in advance. 



To Members of the Society subscribing 5s. and 

 upwards per annum it will be forwarded gratis and 

 post free. 



Printed by Withekby & Co., 326, High Holborn, W.C., and 

 published by the Society for the Protection of Birds, 3, 

 Hanover Square, London, \V,, of whom copies may be obtained, 

 prioe 2d, each, 



