1917.] REPOliTS. 17 



species. Keep all species within reasonable numbers, but 

 wipe out none. Discretion is not to be looked for in school- 

 boys who have been encouraged by their teachers to go bird- 

 nesting. To most lads a nest with eggs, whether of hedge 

 sparrow or house sparrow, thrush or bull-finch, is a find too 

 great to be resisted — the desire to rob the nest of its contents 

 overmasters all other considerations and the eggs are taken. 

 To do this is at all times so boy-like one cannot but question 

 the wisdom that has seen fit (the food shortage notwithstand- 

 ing) to advocate wholesale raiding. 



To the true bird-lover, to those of us who appreciate 

 them for the joyousness of their singing and who love to study 

 their habits, this attack on the birds (necessary though those 

 in high places apparently think it to be) is very distressing. 

 How tame and lifeless the countryside would be without the 

 birds ; how dull our rambles through the lanes without the 

 refreshing song of the chaffinch, robin and thrush to mention 

 no others. It would be a sad world indeed to many of us and 

 a lost source of inspiration to nature-loving poets like Tenny- 

 son who wrote of the spring-time song of the thrush : 



" Summer is coming, summer is coming : 

 I know it, I know it, I know it. 

 Light again, leaf again, life again, love again, 

 Yes, my wild little poet." 



I cannot close these introductory remarks without refer- 

 ring with regret to the death, on December 17th, 1916, of 

 Mr. John S. Hocart, of Les Mielles, Yale. A member of 

 this Society since 1893, deceased proved himself an active 

 worker, contributing papers from time to time (some of which 

 were published in the Transactions) and personally conduct- 

 ing Excursions of the Society to places of interest in his 

 parish. The Ornithological Reports also bear good witness 

 to his activities in the field of Natural History. It is because 

 of his valued help in this direction that I specially refer to 

 Mr. Hocart here. With the passing on of Mr. Hocart many 

 of us have lost a genial friend and acquaintance, while the 

 Ornithological Section will be henceforth not a little the 

 poorer for his death. He was 73 years of age. 



The notes which follow bear witness to much help received 

 from several members of this Society and others. That help 

 I beg leave here gratefully to acknowledge. 



Chiff-Chaff. — This usually early arrival was very late in announcing itseli 

 this spring, a fact which I attribute to the bitter cold and frost of the 

 long-drawn-out winter. And not only was the bird late in arriving, to 

 all appearance it came in smaller numbers and left our shores again 

 earlier than customary this autumn. Certain it is that the sweet, cheer - 



B 



