SELBORNIA NA 
3 
help of numerous observers scattered over the entire country, 
or rather over the whole world. There is certainly no lack of 
work for us. Where are the workers ? 
SELBORNIANA. 
Alleged Bird-Destruction ohe .\chill. — The Council 
having drawn the attention of the Irish Office to a letter in the 
Field of July i8, have received the following reply : — 
“ Dublin Castle, 
“ November 20, 1903. 
“ SiR^ — With reference to your letter of the 22nd ult., I am 
directed by the Lords Justices to inform you that the place 
called Bills Rock, off the coast of Achill, comes within the 
provisions of the Wild Birds Protection Act, 1880. 
“ Their Excellencies desire me to add there is no evidence 
to show that birds were killed in large numbers on the occasion 
of the Admiralty gun practice in May last, as suggested in the 
newspaper publication to which you refer. So far as the local 
police are aware no dead birds were found floating on the sea 
as stated, and on June 2 last, when a police constable visited 
the Rock, there were no dead birds to be seen. 
“ I am. Sir, your obedient Servant, 
“The Secretary, “J. B. Dougherty. 
“ The Selborne Society.” 
Bird Protection in Ireland. — A correspondent kindly 
sends us the following from the Waterford Standard of Decem- 
ber 9 ; — 
“ Eggs of Wild Birds. Action of Waterford County 
Council. — Last week’s Dublin Gazette contained an order pro- 
hibiting the taking or destroying of the eggs of various species 
of wild birds throughout the County Waterford for five years, 
from January i, 1904. This is made upon the application of 
the Waterford County Council, and the commoner birds in- 
cluded are teal, heron, woodcock, kingfisher, raven, sheldrake, 
black guillemot, and black-backed gull.” 
Bird Protection in Dorset. — The Council have received 
from the Home Office a copy of a new Wild Birds Protection 
Order, dated November 26, with reference to this county. By 
it no eggs may be taken or destroyed within two furlongs inland 
from high-water mark on any part of the coast of Chesii Bank 
or from thence to Little Sea, near Studland, during the next 
five years ; the eggs of many of the rarer species are similarly 
protected throughout the county, this list including owls, hawks, 
woodpeckers, &c. ; many additions are made to the schedule of 
the Act of 1880, the close time is extended, many rarer birds 
