76 
SELBORNIANA. 
Fined for Killing a Kingfisher.— We have much satisfaction in reprint- 
ing the following : — 
“Charles Upsdell, a boat builder, of Shepperton, was summoned at the 
Spelthorne Sessions, held at Teddington, for killing a kingfisher on the Thames, 
near Chertsey, on February 17, contrary to the bye-laws of the Thames Conservancy. 
He was also summoned for unlawfully discharging a firearm at the said time and 
place, contrary to the bye-laws. Mr. L. Hackett, landlord of the Bridge Hotel 
Tap, Chertsey, said that he saw the defendant in a punt in a backwater near 
witness’s premises. The defendant took up the gun and shot at the kingfisher, 
witness seeing it fall. The punt afterwards drifted across the stream, and the 
defendant picked up the bird. Witness saw the kingfisher, which was not quite 
dead, lying on the seat of the punt. Albert Howe, who was in the taproom of 
the Bridge Hotel, gave corroborative evidence. An absolute denial was given to 
the charge, it being stated that Upsdell picked up the kingfisher out of the water 
and was going to have it stuffed, but found it was too decomposed to allow of 
that. Three witnesses were called for the defence, who bore out that statement. 
The Chairman (Mr. J. Ashby) said that the Bench were quite satisfied that the 
defendant had shot the kingfisher, and he would be fined los. and 193 6d. costs in 
each case.” 
Hampstead Heath. — We are glad to learn that Hampstead is going to 
form a Hampstead Heath Protection Society, for “ protecting the Heath and pre- 
serving its natural beauties.” The old residents and the townspeople are equally 
determined to try every means to prevent the Heath “ being turned into a smug 
park,” to quote Sir Walter Besant. A public meeting will be held at the Drill 
Hall, Heath Street, on April 7, at 8.30, E. Brodie Hoare, Esq., M. P., in the 
chair. The Honorary Secretary {pro tern.) is Miss Emily Field, Squire’s Mount, 
Hampstead, N.W. 
A Substitute for “ Aigrettes.” — The Daily Chronicle says : — 
“ The agitation against the custom of wearing osprey feathers seems at length 
to be bearing fruit, and London milliners are unanimous in declaring that their 
customers refuse to wear hats or bonnets adorned with osprey aigrettes. Fortu- 
nately a very excellent substitute for the osprey has been provided by some 
ingenious Frenchman, in the shape of an aigrette made from whale-bone, finely 
shredded and curled in such a way that it has a very light and feathery effect.” 
[We must again caution our readers against being deceived by the representa- 
tion of interested persons that the “aigrettes” now in use are largely spurious. 
Only last week some were submitted to us which were said to be imitation, but 
Dr. Sharpe informs us that they are the real thing. — Ed. N. W.] 
The Extermiaatioa of the Q-olden Eagle.— The bird butchers are at 
it again. In the North Eastern Daily Gazette of Februiry 17, it is recorded that 
a golden eagle has just been shot in East Yorkshire. This is the second killed 
within three months near the coast, and I have authentic records of two more 
instances which occurred in .Scotland during 1896. Seebthm, one of our most 
able and reliable naturalists, says : “ Before it is too late, Scotchmen, protect 
your national bird, the eagle of your ancestors, and stay the cruel war waged by 
grouse-shooter, deer-stalker, sheep-farmer, and skin-collector — war which will, 
ere long, play its part but too surely and lake the golden eigle from your moun- 
tains for ever.” What are our County Councils about ? Tne powers given the n 
by the Wild Birds Protection Acts of 1880 and 18 )5 ought to be enforced more 
vigorously and universally than they are. Aperiol of protection for the golden 
eagle is wanted, and the Home Secretary should be asked to give the bird 
protection all the year round. 
79A, Great Queen Street, W.C. JosEPit Coi.LlNSON. 
How to Eaoourage Birds. — I .shall be greatly obliged if you, or any of 
your readers, will give me some inform ttion as to the best means to encourage the 
nesting of birds in my garden. Our feathered friends are an endless source of 
