82 
NATURE NOTES 
killed sea-birds always ready for customers,’ nor do I indulge in 
‘wholesale slaughter of these birds.’ ... I procure birds 
to order only and never take more 'than I require. To this 
course, I think, no one but a faddist of the most extreme views 
can object.” 
Wounded Animals in Warfare. — We entirely concur in 
the following letter addressed by Mr. L. W. Pike, of Wareham, 
to the Standard of April 5. 
“ Sir,— There are some things they do better in America. 
The reply of our War Office to a request that men might be 
allowed to be sent out to attend to animals left wounded on 
battle-fields is an expression of sympathy with the object, but 
a refusal on the plea that the men would not be under military 
control, and that, doing such work, they would not be protected 
by the terms of the Geneva Convention. The reply of the 
American military authorities to a similar request is the general 
order by Nelson A. Miles, Major-General commanding the 
United States Army, ‘with a view to avoid extreme suffering 
among wounded horses or mules on the field of battle, it is 
hereby ordered that a veterinary surgeon, or some other person 
detailed by the Commanding Officer, will accompany troops in an 
engagement, whose duty it will be to put an end to the agonies 
of horses or mules that, in his judgment, are suffering to a 
degree requiring such action on his part.’ 
“ There is a refreshing absence of red-tapeism and clear 
evidence of manly readiness to undertake initiative and personal 
responsibility about this action of the Commander of the United 
States Army that is worthy of imitation.” 
The Seal Fishery. — Reuter’s Agency of March 24 and 25 
announces from St. John’s, Newfoundland, that “ splendid news 
of the seal fishery is to hand. The catch is the best there has 
been for many years. There is consequently great rejoicing.” 
The accompanying figuces show three hundred and twenty-seven 
thousand of these gentle and harmless creatures to have been 
clubbed and otherwise done to death in a fortnight, with the 
suggestive comment added, that 600,000 dollars has been earned 
“ without any loss of life ” ! 
Gilbert White’s Diary. — We are glad to learn that 
White’s diaries from 1768 to 1793 are to be issued by Messrs. 
Constable and Co., of 2, Whitehall Gardens, Westminster. They 
will form two large quarto volumes of about 700 pages each, 
and subscriptions are invited, at ^2 12s. 6d., nett, if received 
before June 30. After publication the price will be raised to 
three guineas nett ; but those who have already sent in their 
names to Mr. Otter are to have the work on the terms originally 
proposed. 
