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and probably the few sea-elephants that are left are too few to 
attract the sealers. It would, however, be satisfactory to know 
that the United States Government had placed these animals 
under the protection of the law .” — The Field, December 7, 1907. 
The “Osprey” Trade. — A writer in a recent issue of an 
Australian ornithological journal gives a revolting account of 
the havoc inflicted on a colony of plumed and white egrets by 
plume hunters. The visit was made in the height of the 
breeding season, and involved a journey by boat of about 
12 miles, this being the only practicable mode of approach. 
On arrival, evidence of a recent raid was only too plainly 
visible. As the boat approached, large white patches were 
to be seen floating on the water or resting on the fallen trees 
in the neighbourhood of the heronry. These proved to be 
carcases of adult egrets, some fifty in number, about one-third, 
or perhaps more, of the entire colony. These birds had been 
ruthlessly shot while brooding their young, which latter, to the 
number of about a couple of hundred, had been remorselessly 
left to die a lingering death from hunger. Many had already 
succumbed at the time of the narrator’s visit, having fallen 
from the nests into the water below, where they were, probably, 
soon drowned. Others from time to time fell from the nests 
to share the same fate, while others, again, perished from 
exhaustion as they sat in the nests. Perhaps the most pitiable 
sight of all was to watch those which had still sufficient strength 
to move and cry, attempting, and, needless to say, attempting 
in vain — to attract the attention of old birds flying heedlessly 
by with food in their beaks . — The Field, November 16, 1907. 
Lichens from a Damp Country. — A special “exhibit” of 
Lichens, collected by R. Morton Middleton, F.L.S., F.Z.S., 
in Southern Chile, is now on view in the Botanical Gallery of 
the Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, W., to illustrate 
the luxuriance and beauty of the members of this group in 
a damp climate. 
A Lichen Exchange Club. — As a means of communication 
among collectors of British Lichens an Exchange Club has been 
started. Particulars can be obtained from Mr. A. R. Norwood, 
The Museum, Leicester. 
