i6S 
XATURE XOTES 
Meanwhile, as a comment on one of our critics’ demands, 
comes the welcome announcement from Melbourne that Mr. 
Deakin, Premier of the Commonwealth, has promised to intro- 
duce a Bill to prevent the exportation of bird skins and plumes. 
This should prove a valuable safeguard to the Birds of Paradise. 
Wild Birds’ Protection Orders. — We have received from 
the Home Office an Order, dated April 24, for the County of 
Glamorgan, protecting all birds and eggs on Worms Head, 
protecting all birds on Sundays throughout most of the county, 
and otherwise modifying the Schedule of the Act. We have 
also received an Order, dated April 28, for the County of Berks, 
protecting all birds on Abingdon Common, protecting all birds 
on Sundays in the districts of Abingdon, Bradfield, Cookham, 
Easthampstead, Hungerford, Newbury, Wallingford, and 
W’okingham, and adding various Hawks and other species to 
the schedule. A third Order, bearing date May 14, refers to 
the County of Cumberland, and protects the Goldfinch all the 
year round and adds many species of birds and their eggs to the 
schedule. The close time for Plover and Wild Duck remains as 
in the Act of 1880, viz., March i to August i, and that for 
Plover’s eggs from April 15 to July i. Lastly, an Order, dated 
June 25, with reference to the County of Durham, extends the 
close time from the last day of February to September i, protects 
the Goldfinch, Kingfisher, House Martin, Sand Martin, and 
Swallow throughout the year, protects all birds on Sundays 
throughout most of the county, and adds many species of eggs 
and some of birds to the schedule. 
Photographic Competition. — We have been asked to call 
attention to a prize photographic competition announced by 
Messrs. Marion and Co., of Soho Square, W., from whom 
particulars can be obtained. There are scientific and beginners’ 
classes, and the prizes offered are valuable. Entries must be 
received before November i. 
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 
643 . Birds in Richmond Park.— I read with interest Mr. Hugh 
Boyd Watts’ account of birds seen in Kew Gardens and Richmond Bark, and 
in addition to those mentioned I can add the Nightjar {Capritmilga eurofaus), 
heard near the Upper and Lower Lakes, or, as they are now called, the Penn 
Bonds, also the Redstart (Ruticilla pha nictirus), a male bird, feeding young one 
on rails between the Robin Hood and Roehampton gates; above noted June 21. 
139, Hamilton Road, Frank A. Arnold. 
W. Norwood, S.E. 
644. Cuckoo. — I do not think there is any support for the theory that 
hedge-sparrows remove their eggs to make room for the young cuckoo. Cuckoos 
feed on eggs. Whether the female would remove eggs with an intelligent 
purpose is perhaps among the “unproven” habits of this strange bird. .Are we 
not misled in our search for reliable information by the idea that intelligence 
