NATURE NOTES. 
150 
months ago.” Perhaps Mr. Shaw-Lefevre may be able to 
expedite its appearance. 
On a recent visit to the Gardens we were informed that Mr. 
Hemsley’s excellent Guide to the North Gallery was out of 
print, and we understand that the Handbook to No. 2 Museum 
has never been issued. We hope the Director of the Gardens 
will supply these important omissions at an early date. 
Judging from the past, we fear that Mr. Heath is a little over- 
sanguine in supposing that the Kew authorities will raise no oppo- 
sition to the renewed proposal. But we are confident that a 
reconsideration of the position will modify their objections, and 
we trust that Dr. D)-er will be as ready to extend the hours of 
opening as he was to increase the facilities for smoking — a some- 
Avhat doubtful boon, by the way, to those who do not smoke and 
dislike the smell ! 
The Editor. 
THE STARLING. 
O LITTLE mocking-bird, thou dusk-winged stare. 
Singing thy song with innocent conceit. 
Dost thou not deem it wonderfully sweet ? 
Thy light weight softly stirs the thin branch where 
Thou swa5’est ’gainst the faint-flush evening air ; 
And to thy song a measure thou dost beat 
With the small, ugly wings that are as fleet 
As the blue swallow’s, shapely-made and fair. 
In the full happiness God giveth thee. 
With many flutterings of thy little throat. 
Thou singest, singest, singest, and art fain 
To imitate the rippling melod}% 
The trill delicious of the thrush’s note. 
Or robin redbreast singing through the rain. 
Mary Furlong. 
NATURE NOTES IN THE MAGAZINES. 
HE numerous contributions on subjects of interest to 
ralj Selbornians which are to be found every month in the 
magazines show that the love of Nature is becoming 
“ increasingly diffused among us. From time to time 
we think it will be well to call attention to the more noticeable 
of these, in order that Selbornians may be made acquainted with 
them. 
Taking last month’s issues, we find in Scribner an article on 
“ The Last of the Buffalo,” by IMr. George Bird Grinnell, beau- 
tifully illustrated and full of interest. The Buffalo, which “once 
