102 
NATURE NOTES 
The Council is indebted to several of the members for additions to 
the library which is being formed. It should be stated that most of the 
books received are gifts of the Editor. 
Under the Society’s auspices, many lectures have been given during 
the winter months, and members are reminded that lectures will be 
arranged at any school, institute or society if a fair audience can be 
guaranteed. The lecturers give their services gratuitously, but the list of 
lecturers willing to speak at a distance from London is not so long as it 
should be, and the Council invites country naturalists to help it in this 
particular. 
The following is a list of some of the gentlemen who have kindly 
assisted the Society in this direction: — Mr. F. W. Ashley, F.Z.S.; Pro- 
fessor G. S. Boulger, F.L.S., F.G.S.; the Rev. H. E. U. Bull, M.A.; Mr. 
J. S. Cooke, F.L.S., F.G.S.; Lieutenant-Colonel Coulson ; Mr. Alfred T. 
Dymes ; Mr. Edward A. Martin, F.G.S.; Mr. J. L. Otter; Mr. Graham 
Renshaw, M.B., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.; Mr. James Saunders, and Mr. R. 
Marshman Wattson. 
A report of the Natural History rambles under competent leaders, on 
Saturdays, organised by the Field Club in the summer of 1898, is 
appended. The details of route, time, &c., are published in Nature 
Notes. To these excursions all members and their friends are welcome. 
Many County Councils have taken advantage of the opportunity now 
afforded to them of obtaining orders in extension of the general provisions 
of the Wild Birds’ Protection Acts, for the protection of certain species 
and the eggs of certain species within their jurisdictions. The enforce- 
ment of penalties is left to the local authorities, or to private persons, and 
it is hoped that members will endeavour to aid in the administration (in 
the nature of the case somewhat difficult) of the orders obtained, as well 
as of the general law. 
As the result of an important conference of the various societies and 
of members of Parliament in sympathy with their objects, at which the 
Selborne Society was represented, a Parliamentary Committee has been 
formed, entitled the “Amenities Committee,” acting as representatives in 
the House of Commons. A circular on the subject will shortly be issued 
to the honorary secretaries of branches, and any member interested in the 
subject can be supplied with a copy on application to the Secretary of the 
Society. 
A league, entitled “ The Thames Preservation League,” of similar 
societies has been formed, having for its object the preservation, for the 
public enjoyment, of all that tends to maintain the beauty and interest of 
the river. The Selborne Society has been invited to become one of its 
constituent bodies. 
The .South-Eastern Union of Scientific Societies held its annu.-il 
congress in 1898, at Croydon, the chairman being one of our officers — 
Professor Boulger. The .Selborne .Society has become affiliated to the 
Union, and members are now entitled to the privileges attaching to 
members of the affiliated societies. This year’s congress is to be held at 
Rochester, on May 25th to 27th, and delegates have been appointed to 
rejiresent the .Society at the meetings. 
