IRature IRotes : 
Z,hc Selborne Society’s flDaoasinc 
No. 170. FEBRUARY, 1904. Vol. XV. 
OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY. 
To preserve from unnecessary destruction sucli wild birds, 
animals and plants as are harmless, beautiful, or rare. To 
discourage the wearing and use for ornament of birds and their 
plumage, except when the birds are killed for food or reared 
lor their plumage. To protect places and objects of antitjuarian 
interest or natural beauty from ill-treatment or destruction. To 
promote the study of natural history. 
SELBORNIANA. 
Saving the Purley Beeches. — The latest spot of interest 
to be threatened by the builder is that lovely stretch of open 
down and woodland known as the Purley Downs. Many of 
our readers have taken part in rambles over these downs, before 
they were closed against all comers, except the golfers. 
Croydon still goes on lengthening out southward, and passing 
by Croham Hurst, roads have been laid out south of the latter 
place, and have reached Sanderstead, and, skipping across the 
valley, they are now beginning to traverse Purley Downs. 
Besides the juniper trees for which the locality is famous, it 
contains those famous oaks and beeches which are seen from 
the railway when travelling by the Oxted line. A gallant effort 
is being made to save a portion from destruction. Tlie parish 
of Sanderstead is nobly to the fore in the matter, and it is hoped 
that it may be able to lease the space containing the beeches, 
and possibly later on to raise sufficient money to purchase it. 
Needless to say the Croydon Branch of the Selborne Society 
is intensely interested in the project, which is being ably 
engineered by Mr. Malcolm Sharpe, Mr. Samuel Bowman, 
Capt. Carpenter, R.N., and other gentlemen. 
