SELBORNIAN A. 
ii 7 
instruction and information for botanical students, they are doing a greater work 
than ever they have done ; many irksome restrictions have been removed, and 
every licence is allowed to the public which is consistent with the great object for 
which the Gardens are maintained. But it must be remembered that they are ill 
the first place Botanical Gardens, and only incidentally a lounging place and 
recreation ground. The inhabitants of Kew and Richmond must bear in mind 
that they have in strict justice no greater right to visit this great scientific institu- 
tion for the study of botany than the dwellers at Berwick or Penzance. We are 
sure that the officials at Kew will do all in their power to open the gates at the 
earliest hour that is compatible with the proper management of the Gardens and 
the needs of the many botanical students who are allowed access when mere 
pleasure-seekers are excluded. We feel convinced that all botanical Selbornians 
will agree with us in the desire not to put undue pressure upon the authorities at 
Kew in this matter. The Director, Curators, and several other gentlemen on the 
Kew staff, are, we believe, members of the Selborne Society, and in every 
number of Nature Notes, from the earliest to the present, we are under much 
obligation to the great knowledge and invariable courtesy of the official staff. In 
many instances, such as the present movement for the preservation of the beautiful 
trees which form a graceful screen between the Gardens and the hideous Gas- 
works “on the other side the river,” we hardly doubt that they are in full 
sympathy with our efforts ; but we must remember the exigencies of their 
position as Government Officials, and refuse to join in any railing against those 
from whom nature lovers have received so many benefits, and, doubtless, will 
receive the boon of earlier opening, as soon as Mr. Dyer and his colleagues are 
satisfied that additional concessions will not be injurious to the magnificent gardens 
entrusted to their care. 
One more note as to Selbornian work at Richmond. We have just received 
the following invitation, of which some hundreds have been distributed : — “ Miss 
Wallis, ‘At Home’ to members of the Lower Thames Valley Branch of the 
Selborne Society, Monday, June, 22, 1891, from S to 1 1 p.m. ; The High School, 
Richmond.” The Secretaries of all our Branches may not have facilities for 
such comprehensive hospitality as that displayed by the Secretary of the Lower 
Thames Valley Branch ; but we cannot too strongly urge that, in accordance 
with the circumstances of various places, this example should be followed, and 
that opportunities should be afforded for social intercourse between the members 
of our Association and the interchange of experiences and suggestions between 
Selbornians who have hitherto known each other only by name. We are con- 
vinced that there is hardly any better method by which we may extend our 
influence and increase our numbers. 
The Soaring 1 of Swifts. — When reading that portion of Mr. Aubrey 
Edwards’ most interesting letter on “The Orleton Swifts” (p. 91), which relates 
to the habit these birds have of soaring to a great height after sunset (a habit 
which I have often remarked, especially just before the birds leave us in August), 
the following questions occurred to me : Do the insects upon which the swifts 
feed go up with the warm air when the air near the surface of the earth cools at 
sunset? and, are the swifts following them? As far as my limited experience 
goes the swifts generally feed on very small insects. That the favourite insects 
of the swifts are a little peculiar seems probable from the fact of the birds leaving 
us so early in the season. I have known them go by the 10th or Ilth August. 
The old cuckoos go when fat caterpillars get scarce, while those warblers which 
can eat fruit stay late. Anyone ascending a hill (even a hundred feet) soon after 
sunset on a summer’s evening, will easily notice that the air remains warm longer 
round the hill than on the level ground. This is only a suggestion, written very 
hurriedly, in the hope that it will be in time for the next number. 
Bloxham, Ox on. O. V. Aplin. 
Mr. R. W. Woollcombe, writing from Acre Place, Stoke, Devonport, 
suggests that : “ This soaring may be owing to the swifts seeking an atmosphere 
less vaporous than that near the ground. I was rather struck by reading an 
account in 7 'hc Standard of May 20th, of observations in a balloon on the 
afternoon of Whit Monday by Mr. C. V. Shadbolt, of Bromley, Kent. He says 
that after passing through a very damp atmosphere and a belt of thick white 
