24 
NATURE NOTES. 
dren, and I received pathetic letters of gratitude from these fellow 
London members. We then seated the children in rows on the 
grass (it being very dry), and gave them their tea. Then games 
and races were the order, after which a kind neighbour sent up 
three large animal-shaped balloons, to the intense excitement 
and delight of the children and our guests. The treat ended by 
the children forming in line and the Rector of Freshwater 
addressing them, and lastly, by the prizes (the winners having 
been chosen by vote at the May meetings) being given by my 
little three-year-old son, who joined as heartily as anyone present 
in the delights of the day. 
Every Band may make its own Rules, and ought to be self- 
supporting (except as regards payments for the treats). After 
clearing all yearly expenses, I was able to send £\ from the 
Tennyson Band of Mercy, as a contribution towards the salary 
of the Island Inspector for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 
The following Rules I have found very useful and sufficient : — 
Rules for Tennyson Band of Mercy. 
Subscriptions. — Badges, 2d. Magazine, |d. a month. Sub- 
scription, id. quarterly, from ages 7 to 16 ; above that age, 3d. 
quarterly. Honorary Members, 2S. 6d. annually. 
Badges to be worn by all iSIembers at any meeting or gathering 
of the Band. 
Payments to be made punctually at the beginning of the month, 
at one of the schools, on a date given out three days before. 
.\ny child not present, except in case of illness, or not paying 
punctually, will have a bad mark against its name. If two 
quarters are not paid, the name will be crossed off the register. 
Prizes. — No child with a bad mark is eligible for a prize. A 
prize will be given in each school to a boy and a girl, and the 
recipient will be chosen by vote, in the school, from the six boys 
and girls who have most good marks. 
Special Rules. 
No ^Member to take or touch a Nest or Eggs. 
No Butterflies to be touched or caught. 
No Animal, Bird, Fish, or Insect to be caught or killed, 
except for food, and in self-defence. 
No Stones to be thrown at Children or Animals. 
No Slides to be made on the ice where any traffic passes. 
No Flowers to be touched in other people’s gardens or 
grounds, nor gathered ruthlessly to be thrown away. 
No Kicking, poking, thrashing, or jerking of the mouth of, 
any animal driven. 
Ajiy Member known to have broken any of these Rules will have a bad 
mark in the Register. 
Magazines, medals, and excellent little pamphlets, especially 
one entitled, “ How to treat Animals and Birds,” by Miss 
Marriott, may be procured at the Central Office of the Royal 
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Jermyn Street, 
London. Audrey Tennyson. 
