SELBORNIANA. 
55 
SELBORNIANA. 
The Excursion to Selborne. — It has not been found possible to give- 
in the present number the additional particulars as to the Midsummer Day ex • 
cursion promised in our last. We would, however, invite all who can do so, 
and who propose taking part in the excursion, to send in their names to Mr. 
Western at 9, Adam Street, Adelphi, W.C. , and we would especially urge 
Secretaries of Branches to bring the matter before their members at as early a date 
as possible. 
The Birds of New Zealand (p. 35).— The Standard of Feb. loth 
says: — “We are sorry to hear that difficulties have arisen in reference to the 
negotiations with the natives for the purchase of the more important of the two 
islands which it is proposed to use as a bird reserve ; and that unless the Colonial 
Government be stimulated by public opinion on this side, there is some danger 
that the matter may be allowed to drop. The Zoological Society of London has 
just passed the following Resolutions on the subject : — 
“ The Council of this Society have learned with great satisfaction the steps that 
were proposed to be taken by the Earl of Onslow, when Governor of New Zea- 
land, and by the Houses of General Assembly, for the preservation of the native 
birds of New Zealand, by reserving certain small islands suitable for the purpose, 
and by affording the native birds special protection on these islands. 
“ The Council much regret to hear that difficulties have been encountered in 
carrying out this plan as regards one of these islands, and trust that the Govern- 
ment of New Zealand may be induced to take the necessary steps to overcome 
these difficulties, and to carry out this excellent scheme in its entirely. 
“The Council venture to suggest that, besides the native birds to be protected 
in these reserves, shelter should also be afforded to the remarkable saurian, the 
Tuatera lizard (Sphenodon punctatns), which is at present restricted to some small 
islands on the north coast of New Zealand, in the Bay of Plenty.” 
Bird Catchers. — A Bird Protection Secretary from Worthing writes : — 
“ We are infested with bird catchers from the first thing in the morning to the 
last thing at evening. I see them from my windows, and one is powerless to 
interfere ; I wish a law could be passed to stop their horrid trade. Then these 
unhappy birds are sold to boys for id. each, who tie strings to the leg and pull 
thetn backwards and forwards till they die from exhaustion.” 
Lantern Slides. — Can any reader recommend magic lantern slides for 
■Selborne .Society purposes ? I think if there were suitable slides it would be a 
capital way of interesting country people and children, and so making them look 
at things out of doors with more intelligence. 
Milford, Lymtngton. Herbert E. U. Bull. 
Folk Songs. — Should any readers of Nature Notes, or their friends, be 
interested in old ballads, songs and tunes, such as are remembered by country 
people, may I draw their attention to the fact that I have for some time past 
collected traditional songs and tunes from all parts of England, with a view to 
saving much ttiat is beautiful and curious. 
Thanks to kind helpers I have already several hundred songs, a large part of 
which will very shortly appear in print, words and tunes given exactly as noted 
down from the singers. If any of your readers have the opportunity and wish to 
contribute at any time towards the collection I shall be most gratelul, and every 
acknowledgment shall be made of their help. The love for old ballads, carols, 
game-songs, harvest-healths, &c., has so much died out amongst the younger 
generation that the older country folk, amongst whom these songs still linger, are 
very shy of confessing that they know them ; it is therefore necessary to begin 
inquiries cautiously. By prefacing that “ the old tunes and songs are so far 
better than the new ” one often unlocks the lips of the timid singer. V^ery few 
singers have the power of discriminating between a really old ballad and a trashy 
modern one. Collectors should, therefore, not be discouraged by having ‘ I'he 
Miller of Dee,’ and ‘No Irish need apply!’ presented to them as equall)' 
“ ancient.” The best way of saving what is valuable is to accept everything, and 
afterwards to patiently sift the good from the bad. Questions such as the follow- 
