144 
NATURE NOTES 
III. — The Protection of Animals. 
Fur-bearing Animals . — The leaflet prepared by Mr. Miihlberg 
on the extermination of fur-bearing animals, and mentioned in 
the last report, has now been printed and can be obtained from 
the Honorary Secretary. 
The Ealing Bird Sanctuary .— The enclosure which the Ealing 
Branch has protected for the last three years was exceedingly 
successful last season. Some hundreds of nests were built and 
many of these were kept under observation until the young birds 
flew. The Committee of the Branch is redoubling its efforts 
this year, and is inviting the help of all interested in the pro- 
tection of our British birds. 
The Uses of Feathers for Ornament . — It will be remembered 
that at the last annual meeting Lord Avebury in his address 
made a special appeal on behalf of the “ egret,” the plumes of 
which, under the name of “ ospreys,” are worn to such an extent 
that the birds, which produce them only in nesting season, are 
becoming exterminated. These feathers seem to have become 
even more fashionable lately, but the gracious and welcome 
message from Her Majesty, Queen Alexandra, to the Royal 
Society for the Protection of Birds, should do much to dis- 
courage their use. 
It is addressed to the Duchess of Portland and runs as 
follows : — 
“ The Queen desires me to say, in answer to your letter, that 
she gives you, as President, full permission to use her name in 
any way you think best to conduce to the protection of birds. 
You know well how kind and humane the Queen is to all living 
creatures, and I am desired to add that her Majesty never wears 
osprey plumes herself, and will certainly do all in her power to 
discourage the cruelty practised on these beautiful birds.” 
Numbers of other feathers of an ornamental character are 
being sold, and although ostrich plumes, to which no exception 
can be taken, are largely worn, others, such as those of the birds 
of Paradise, are unfortunately much in vogue. 
IV. — The Protection of Plants. 
Professor Boulger brought this subject before the meeting 
of delegates of Corresponding Societies of the British Associa- 
tion, and, after considerable discussion, it was agreed to recom- 
mend the issue of a circular by the Association to teachers, and 
the preparation of a “ Reader ” for schools. 
V. — Places of Antiquarian Interest and Natural Beauty. 
War ley Woods . — The members will learn with much pleasure 
that the scheme for the preservation of Warley Woods, which 
was mentioned in our last report, and was initiated by the 
