238 
NATURE NOTES. 
usual board announcing the land for sale. With the near prospect of a crowded 
population surrounding and trenching upon the Park, the time has surely come to 
save it. Great and good as is the work that the City Corporation and London 
County Council have already done in this direction, their energies will here find 
full scope. It is the plain duty of the inhabitants of Wandsworth, Putney and 
Wimbledon to follow in the steps of those of Beckenham and Bromley, in the 
endeavour to arouse local interest and in the attempt to save at least some portion 
of this beautiful landscape lying in their midst. Having done this they surely will 
not seek in vain the aid of the two great governing bodies of the metropolis — the 
one full of youthful energy, the other boasting a dignified antiquity, but both united 
in a common desire to promote the cause of open spaces. 
Archibai.d Clarke. 
The Preservation of Birds in Australia. — A movement has been 
started in Melbourne for the passing of a law which may tend to prevent the 
wanton destruction of birds in Victoria. A deputation, organised by the Victoria 
Field Naturalists’ Club, and representing numerous influential Societies, lately 
brought the subject under the notice of the Minister of Customs. In introducing 
the deputation, Messrs. C. D. Carter and J. Bosisto dwelt upon the necessity of 
protecting insectivorous birds from the reckless and indiscriminate shooting which 
is now so prevalent, as well as human lives, which are frequently sacrificed to 
the inexperience of sportsmen. The imposition of a gun tax as a legitimate source 
of revenue was also suggested. Mr. F. Wisewould referred to the draft which 
had been drawn up by the sub-committee of the Field Naturalists’ Club — a draft 
based upon similar Acts in England and some of the Australian colonies. A few 
new features had, however, been added, notably that which made it illegal for 
persons under the influence of liquor to carry firearms. It was also provided that 
under no circumstances should a licence be given for the use of swivel guns. In 
answer to the deputation the Minister said that he would take the draft bill which 
had been prepared into favourable consideration. He would have an amended 
draft drawn up and submitted to those interested before its introduction into 
Parliament. He was of opinion that a 5s. tax, as proposed, was not heavy 
enough, since it would be worth the while of those who let out guns to pay the 
tax themselves. 
Earlier Opening of Kew Gardens. — The First Commissioner of Works, 
Mr. G. Shaw Lefevre, has just given his promised interview to Mr. F. C. Heath, 
and has undertaken to consider carefully the earlier opening of Kew Gardens. 
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES AND QUERIES. 
A Spider’s Bath. — When walking one day in September along the pic- 
turesque road bordering Lake Como, between Cadenabbia and Menaggio, I 
observed as I thought a dark bird over the water at some distance ; but seeing 
that it did not move my attention was at once arrested, and the object proved to be 
a large round spider quite near, hanging by an invisible thread from a bough of a 
tree which extended considerably out over the lake. A good binocular glass which 
I fortunately had with me at once revealed a most interesting sight. The spider, 
whose body appeared to be about the size of a cherry, was gradually descending 
by means of a very fine thread with the apparent intention of reaching the water — 
some ten or twelve feet from the shore— his long hairy legs manipulating the fine 
thread, while he descended gradually, back downwards. As he approached the 
surface I could not but feel anxious for his safety — he looked such a tempting bit 
of lunch for a trout. At last he touched the water and allowed himself to be 
swayed about by the ripple, which tossed him quite roughly, then rose a few 
inches and descended again, this time seeming to give himself quite a dip, wetting 
his legs, and seemingly regardless of all risks. The water was about three feet 
deep at the spot and so clear that I could easily see the bottom, and soon per- 
ceived several very small fishes approaching to have a look. At first they darted 
about, playing round him, and then took courage to make an attack, and came 
and nibbled at his round fat body, and in their eagerness to try and get a bite, 
pushed him along the surface, while he, with his legs well up out ol the way. 
