74 
NATURE NOTES. 
SELBORNIANA. 
The late Sir Harry Verney (pp. 55.) — In the death of Sir H. Verney, 
the “ Selborne Society” has not only lost its oldest member in years, but also 
one of its best friends. Such was his love of birds and animals, that when he 
engaged the services of his game preservers, he would himself always give definite 
instructions that none were to be destroyed under any circumstances : and al- 
though I have reason to believe hawks and jays, which were very numerous, were 
sometimes destroyed, he was kept in ignorance about it. Magpies were so plentiful 
that the tenant farmers complained, but nevertheless, not one was on any account 
to be destroyed, his answer being that the good derived from those birds, as well as 
all others, more than compensated for any harm they may have done. Claydon is 
noted for its rookeries, and sometimes in the breeding season the farmers and 
others would meet for a day’s rook shooting, but they never dared to do so unless 
Sir Harry was awaj'from home. Squirrels abounded, as they do now everywhere 
on the estate, so tame as to come close up to you when standing looking at them. 
On a visit to Claydon House in October last, I counted fourteen of these nimble 
little animals within a radius of a few yards. I remember w’hen going to and fro 
from school we were always instructed by him never to touch them, or molest the 
birds by throwing, or in any other way injuring them, and we knew the degrada- 
tion sure to follow at school if we ignored the command. Nor w'ere these restric- 
tions confined to birds and animals, the trees and plants were likewise looked after. 
A tenant was not able to cut down a tree or injure it by cutting and lopping with- 
out asking permission. Yet I may say no man ever won the respect of his tenants 
or of the people for miles round more than he had. Every one, man and child, 
loved him and his manners, for all knew he took every means which lay in his 
power to carry out his fondness for the preservation of every living thing, which, 
he said, W'as sent by God for man’s enjoyment. 
James E. Whiting. 
Tlie Protection of Birds.— The Annual Meeting of the Society for the 
Protection of Birds took place on Feb. 22, at 105, Jermyn Street. Mr. E. H. 
Bayley, M.P., presided, and there was a large attendance. In opening the pro- 
ceedings, the chairman said that the Society aimed at preventing the destruction of 
beautiful and useful birds by influencing public opinion, and, if possible, by pro- 
moting legislation. He referred to the numerous enemies which birds had to 
contend against, and insisted on the necessity of putting a stop to the wholesale 
catching and killing of birds for purposes of sale, or for so-called sport. As an 
example of the latter abuse he instanced a case which had been brought under 
his notice, of a man who went down to Devonshire from London, and in a very 
short time destroyed all the kingfishers on a certain stream. Mrs. Phillips moved 
the adoption of the Report, from which we are glad to learn that the total number 
of members had increased from 5,200 to 9,159. The associates numbered 483, of 
whom 152 were branch secretaries. There was urgent need for all who loved 
birds to bestir themselves in disseminating such knowledge of their beauty and 
usefulness, and such reverence for their Creator as should impel the now passive 
majority to combine for protection of bird-life against the vanity and greed of a 
selfish minority. Colonel Coulson seconded the resolution, which was supported 
by Professor Newton, and carried unanimously. .Sir Edward Grey, M.P., and 
other speakers also addressed the meeting. We are glad to find in the Report, 
which contains much interesting matter, a kindly reference to Nature Notes. 
The Selborne Field Club. — As was announced last month, a Central 
P'ield Club has been formed in connection with the Selborne Society, open to all 
members on payment of one shilling per annum. An admirable programme 
has been arranged for Saturday afternoon excursions to places near London, at 
which short papers will be read, and tea will be provided. The arrangements for 
April will be found on p. 80. Communications should be addressed to T. A. 
Dymes, Esq., 16, Lancaster Road, West Kensington Park, W., who will supply 
all information. 
Band of Mercy. — A Band of Mercy has been in existence for the last ten 
years in the parish of .St. George, Old Brentford. It was commenced in Februarj’, 
1884, by the late Rev. Percy Myles, then curate of the parish. The members 
