OFFICIAL NOTICES, &c. 
115 
one but his ancient friend, who used to reward the little musician with Savoy bis- 
cuit. Much interest was excited amongst our acquaintances, one old lady shook 
her head ominously, intimating that the wee leastie was sent as a ‘ warning that 
called away,’ but the ancient mariner (he was an old sea captain) regarded it as a 
‘friendly greeting’ and out-lived the prophecy five years. The doctor, however, 
volunteered an authoritative explanation of the phenomenon. The mouse had a 
diseased liver ! but then he had no ‘ music in his soul.’ To the regret of all, the 
visits of Tommy suddenly ceased — whether he succumbed to liver complaint or 
fell a victim to the claws and jaws of Grimalkin was never known, but the memory 
of the singing mouse lingered for many years in the family.” 
Children as Collectors. — In the Co-operative News, some letters have 
lately appeared strongly protesting against classes being arranged and prizes 
offered for the best collection of birds’ eggs and stuffed birds in connection with 
the forthcoming (Co-operative) Home Industries Exhibition at the Crystal Palace. 
The Rev. Oswald Birchall, Rector of Buscot, Lechlade — an ever-aclive Selbor- 
nian — and Mr. E. A. Sanderson, founder of the “Junior Co-operative Humane 
Society ” denounce such exhibitions, as a direct inducement to lads and others to 
engage in bird-slaughter and nest-robbing. On the other hand, in the Richmond 
and Twickenham Times of July 5th, we find the following enthusiastic plea for 
children’s collections of wild flowers : — “ Among the many pleasing features of 
the flower-shows recently held in this neighbourhood, is the number of wild flower 
bouquets sent by children of the poorer class. When it was first proposed to offer 
prizes for these exhibits, there were many who pooh-poohed the idea as ridiculous 
and urged that the show would be vulgarised by the introduction of a crowd of 
ill-assorted blossoms, hastily culled and tied in bunches, regardless of form or 
colour. However, the children’s friends had their way, the experiment was tried, 
proved a success, and now the children’s corner is a familiar object in the cut 
flower tent at almost every horticultural show'. True, there may be crude combi- 
nations of colour, and in some instances quantity may be superior to quality ; but 
Rome was not built in a day, and if the little ones are by this means learning to 
know the manifold beauties lying in field and hedgerow, awakening perception will 
teach them, later on, how to combine varied hues int j a harmonious and graceful 
bouquet. It has been truly said that to know Nature is to love her and such a 
pure and wholesome affection cannot but have a beneficial effect upon the 
character. In the demoralising conditions under which so many poor children 
live, anything that brightens their joyless lives and influences them for good should 
be encouraged ; above all a pursuit which — who can tell ? — may lead them from 
Nature up to Nature’s God.” 
OFFICIAL NOTICES, WORK OF BRANCHES, &C. 
The object of the Selborne Society is to unite lovers of Nature for common 
study and the defence of natural objects (birds, plants, beautiful landscapes, &c.) 
against the destruction by which they are constantly menaced. The minimum 
Annual Subscription (which entitles the subscriber to a monthly copy of the 
Society’s Magazine) is 2s. 6d. All particulars as to membership may be obtained 
from the Secretary of the Selborne Society, 9, Adam Street, Adelphi, W.C. 
We are still unable to give the promised information as to the statistics of 
branches and their officials, as some secretaries have not yet sent in replies to the 
circulars issued. Among the defaulters are the Bath, Lower Thames Valley, 
Midhurst and Neston Branches. Some interesting accounts of work done have, 
however, been forwarded from the branches in pursuance of a resolution at the 
last meeting of the Council that such accounts should be sent to the editors of 
Nature Notes for insertion, when possible. The Birmingham and Midland 
Branch has had a very successful and largely attended meeting. The hon. sec., 
Mrs. W. Arthur Smith writes : — “The report stated what had been done during 
the year in the direction of posters about the destruction of plants and ferns, &c., 
