SELBORNIANA. 
147 
not, women of a lower class cannot be supposed to know. Those who see fit can 
take refuge in total abstinence. The fact remains that ostrich feathers are not 
suitable for every-day wear in our climate, nor cheap enough for many women. 
Silk tufts, pompons, do not stand weather as hard plumage does, I think. Arti- 
ficial flowers, generally, are not so suitable for winter wear as a stronger ornament 
— I will not say feathers ! Let me hasten to assure you that I do not wear birds, 
or feathers, or wings. 
In conclusion, let me show by an extract from the letter of a member of our 
Society, what ignorance and thoughtlessness exist in the less educated class of 
girls. Writing in December, 1889, Mrs. D — says: — “Yesterday, when I was 
explaining about birds’ wings and Selborne Society to Matilda, she said, ‘ Oh ! 
do they kill them, then, ma’am? I thought they died of themselves.’ Probably 
many people think just as little about it.” Susan P. Hawes. 
[The Editors, not feeling competent to advise in this matter, invite the 
assistance of lady contributors.] 
Insects as Ornaments of the Garden. — Nature Notes has evidently 
readers in many lands. Seiior Don Hugo Rowlatt, Bella Vista, Minas de Rio 
Tinto, Provincia de Huelva, Spain, writes to us as follows : — -“The interesting 
article by Mr. W. F. Kirby in the July issue has attracted my attention, partly 
because insects, more especially butterflies (of which this article principally treats) 
have been my hobby for years, and also because I have been brought into contact 
with that gentleman and his kindness, when visiting the splendid entomological 
collection at South Kensington. 
“ The destruction of the grand old English hedges is indeed to be deplored, as 
also the clearing of forests with their own peculiar flora and fauna, but, as he 
observes, it is useless to regret. However, it does not seem to me that we should 
be improving our opportunities by introducing foreign insects as he suggests ; 
doubtless they could be acclimatised, and would please the eye, but is it not liable 
to result in a hopeless tangle? 
“ He quotes the various beautiful plants brought from foreign climes, but is not 
this promiscuous importation daily engendering confusion in the localizing of both 
native and foreign specimens? It cannot be denied that most brilliant and vivid 
forms of insect life contribute greatly to the attractions of the warmer countries, 
and the Insectarium at the Zoological Gardens is certainly a step in the right 
direction, as showing and instructing 11s in the insect forms and products of other 
lands, but nothing more. Let it cease there. Why upset the balance of nature? 
No, rather let us form breeding beds (as suggested), but let them be of native 
plants for rearing native insects, which are daily decreasing for want of their 
proper food plant. Then may we hope to see the beautiful Peacock ( Vanessa Io), 
the lordly Red Admiral ( Pyrameis Atalanla), and that magnificent insect, the 
Swallow-tail (Papilio Machaon), which cannot be surpassed, once more proudly 
sailing through the sylvan glades or o’er the downy meadows.” 
Imitations of the Note3 of Birds.— The Rev. Robert Hudson sends 
us the following communication from Brighton : — “ Dr. Francis, of Richmond, 
has sent you some lines in which the song of the American robin is imitated. 
Have any of your correspondents referred to the Birds of Aristophanes, where 
the notes of birds appear to be wonderfully reproduced ? I copy the following 
if you care to print them : — Epopopopopopoi ; Io io ito ito ito ito : Trioto trioto 
totobrix ; Toro toro toro toro tix ; Kikkabau kikkabau ; Toro toro toro lililix. ” 
The trilling of the song of small birds is represented, and was no doubt very 
effectively produced on the Athenian stage. 
Perhaps some classical scholar might collect a few passages from the Greek 
poets, which would interest modern readers. In Euripides’ play of “ Ion,” there 
is a beautiful hymn of the young priest of Diana, when he goes to his duties at 
early morning to cleanse the building and drive away the birds, this office being 
esteemed not a menial one, but conveying much honour and distinction. He sees 
the flocks of birds rising from the plains, the marshes and the sea ; some swans 
fly close and seem about to settle in the temple area, and to each the priest in 
his enthusiasm appeals, not to desecrate the temple of his divine mistress. 
