260 



THE YOUNG 



NATURALIST. 



the laws of gravitation, or probably they 

 would have tried their hand at it and sent 

 the earth off to the sun with a rush. They 

 could, however, interfere in other matters, 

 and a pretty case of " meddle and muddle " it 

 has been. First, certain creatures were to 

 be preserved— hares, rabbits, grouse, phea- 

 sants, partridges, &c, &c. We have nothing 

 to object to in any landowner taking special 

 care of any animal he pleases, but we do 

 object to interference with natural laws for 

 such a purpose. Ordinary protection is all 

 right enough, but there has been a general 

 raid on all predacious animals : from eagles 

 to magpies among birds, even the cuckoo 

 does not escape ; weasels and all their tribe 

 among mammals ; only the fox is allowed to 

 live, and that because Eeynard serves for sport 

 of another kind. Hawks that prey on small 

 birds are shot with some excuse; but the 

 war of extermination is so general that others 

 that eat only insects are destroyed with equal 

 determination. Owls preying on mice and 

 insects share the same fate, and what is the 

 result? Sparrows multiply beyond all reason 

 and, of course, are most numerous when the 

 corn is ripe. The proposed remedy will be 

 found worse than the disease. Sparrow clubs 

 and the general destruction of small birds, 

 may save the grain from being devoured by 

 them ; but if they are gone will the grain 

 ever reach maturity ? In the pages of one 

 issue of the Newcastle Weekly Chronicle were 

 two articles — one condemning sparrows, an- 

 other condemning locusts. The locust is a 

 rare visitor here, but there are plenty of 

 insects equally capable of devouring our 

 crops, and the destruction of our small birds 

 means the increase of these creatures beyond 

 all control. We would suggest that an attempt 

 be made to restore the "balance of power," 

 that birds of prey be protected during the 

 breeding season as well as others, and that 

 their indiscriminate destruction by game- 

 keepers and their assistants be no longer 

 tolerated. In our densely populated country 



they would never become very numerous 

 were they left entirely alone, but they would 

 serve to keep down at its proper level the 

 numbers of grain-eating birds, sparrows 

 included. 



Objection is taken that the protection of 

 birds as at present, prevents naturalists ob- 

 taining specimens in various states of plu- 

 mage, and the same argument might be used 

 against any extension of the Acts. We would 

 suggest that in any future measure dealing 

 with this subject, it be enacted that any 

 ,known naturalist be allowed to take out a 

 license to shoot during the close season^ 

 This, while it would prevent unnecessary 

 destruction of young birds, would enable 

 ornithologists to obtain specimens without 

 breaking the laws. 



HAGGERSTON ENTOMOLOG- 

 ICAL SOCIETY. 



21st August, 1884. — At a meeting of the 

 above society held this evening, a discussion 

 was held on Mr. South's new List of British 

 Lepidoptera, and the universal opinion was— 

 " That many of the alterations were uncalled 

 for, and that a re-issue of the Doubleday List, 

 with the addition of the new species dis- 

 covered since the date of ite publication, 

 would have been far more acceptable to the 

 great body of British Entomologists." It 

 was further resolved that the above opinion 

 should be entered on the minutes, and a copy 

 forwarded to you for insertion. — E. Ander- 

 son, Secretary. 



On Thursday, September 11th (Mr. T. Huc- 

 kett in the chair), there was a fair attendance 

 of members. The most interesting exhibit 

 was a very fine specimen of G. edusa Q taken 

 the same afternoon in the Lansdowne Road, 

 London Fields. This was shown by Mr. J, 

 A Clark, and gave rise to a short discussion 

 respecting the appearance of this species. 



