56 
NATURE NOTES. 
ing are useful ; — “ What used the people hereabouts to sing at harvest-suppers ? at 
May time ? at Christmas time ? ” i5i:c. “ Are there any old singers who know such 
ballads as ‘ Lord Bateman ’ or ‘ The Banks of Sweet Dundee ’ ? or who remem- 
ber old game-rhymes, carols, healths, &c., learnt from their parents in byegone 
days ? ■’ If the collector cannot note down the simple air of a song there is usually 
to be found some schoolmaster, organist or musical friend who will kindly do this. 
Words or tunes, even if fragmentary, are valuable. In all cases the name of the 
singer, the locality and other particulars of interest connected with the contribution 
should be given. May I add that song-hunting becomes a most fascinating pursuit, 
and well repays one for any trouble incurred. 
Lyne, Horsham, Sussex. Lucy E. Bro.YDWOOI). 
A Plea for the Skylark. — As we are approaching spring once more, I 
would plead for these small birds, whose lives are ruthlessly sacriticed to epicu- 
rean appetites. It goes to my heart, as I pass the poulterers’ shops, to see scores 
•of these small birds, to think that they are slaughtered in thousands for the sake 
of the small mouthful upon their tiny breasts. Surely these little birds, whose 
voice is the sweetest earthly melody, and whose song gladdens the hearts of eman- 
cipated city toilers when they are fortunate enough to get a few hours among the 
green fields, might be spared from the universal slaughter? As one watches the 
upward Bight of the skylark from earth to heaven, and listens to the rich song he 
warbles forth of joy and gladness, who shall say what new hopes and heavenly 
aspirations he may inspire in the hearts of his listeners? 
Arthur Dove. 
The Annual Meeting of the Lower Thames Valley Branch was held at 
Richmond on the 251I1 of January, and was most successful. The Mayor of Rich- 
mond, Mr. C. Burt, took the chair, and moved the adoption of the report, which 
had been read by Mr. John Allen, the honorary secretary. Sir Richard Temple, 
M.P., in seconding this, particularly deprecated the destruction of the local flora, 
which is in progress all around London on its open spaces, and offered to use his 
influence with the Conservators of the Thames to protect from undue mutilation 
the vegetation on the banks. Dr. Dudley Buxton, in moving a resolution recom- 
mending the aims of the Society, drew attention to the projected excursion to 
Selborne on the 24th of June, in celebration of the centenary of the death of 
Gilbert White. Mr. Otter, who followed, congratulated the Branch on the work 
done during the year, and held it up as a pattern to other Branches. A photo- 
graphic exhibition of views of places of interest and scenery on the Thames was 
held concurrently with the Annual Meeting, and on the evening of the following 
day. It was largely attended on both occasions. At the February monthly meet- 
ing, Mr. C. II. Wright lectured on “Mosses,” at the High Schools, Richmond. 
By the aid of diagrams, black-board sketches, dried specimens, and microscopic 
slides, the lecture was very fully illustrated. Mr. Wright went fully into the struc- 
ture of some of the typical genera, and finished with some references to the uses of 
these plants. Too much praise cannot be given to the energy displayed by the 
officers and members of this flourishing Branch. 
We are sorry to see that, owing to “pressure of other matter,” Prebendary 
Gordon’s “ Selborne Column ” in the West Sussex Gazette is to be discontinued 
“for a few weeks.” We note, however, with pleasure that the Hackney Mercury 
is now devoting considerable space to “Natural History Notes,” among which 
we find local Selbornian information, and a kindly reference to Nature Notes. 
We h.ave to thank the press for many kind notices, and especially the Sheffield 
Independent for the long and appreciative review which appeared in its issue for 
p'ebruary 10th. 
We are indebted to Mr. Edward J. Tatum for a copy of the Salisbury Diocesan 
Gazette for January, which contains an account of the “Wild Flower Classes” 
referred to in last year’s Nature Notes (p. 236). These classes have been held 
in ten parishes, and have an aggregate of seventy-nine members. Ten prizes have 
been awarded by the Bishop of Salisbury to the most promising pupils — the prize 
in each case consisting of a book on some branch of Natural History. We are 
sorry that we cannot find space for extracts from this very interesting report, which 
concludes by recommending our Magazine “ to the attention of all lovers of 
