184 
NATURE NOTES. 
should be needed, but civilisation is a great factor in the work of destruction con- 
tinually going on. ‘ Civilisation ’ was doing away with many rare plants and 
animals. Great harm had been done even in that neighbourhood, and the 
Selborne Society wanted to preserve such objects not for the few, but for the 
many. The late Mr. Wise in writing his history of the New Forest was assisted 
by the Rev. H. M. Wilkinson. The book was published about 1862, and since 
then the peregrine falcon, then not uncommon, had become scarce. This w'as 
only an instance of how birds then common had now become uncommon. The 
honey buzzard was getting very scarce. The British public was always offering a 
great deal for rare birds’ eggs, and he was afraid that the temptation put in the way 
of the Forest keepers to make money easily that way w'as sometimes too strong 
for them. The common buzzard was also now scarce. The kingfisher used to be 
frequently found at Queen’s Bower, but was now seldom seen. The British public 
had invaded that part of the Forest, and possibly that had something to do with 
it. The osprey and the heron w r ere less frequently seen. We should all do 
what we could to prevent them becoming rarer. 
“ With regard to the preservation of old buildings, ruins, &c., there were many 
interesting places in the neighbourhood well deserving of the attention of every 
Selbornian, notably Christchurch Priory, Beaulieu, Netley, and Romsey Abbeys. 
So far as concerned Beaulieu Abbey, that is in good hands, for the owner, Lord 
Montagu, is the President of the Selborne Society in this district. But no one 
can tell when such places may change hands or be threatened with destruction. 
Should such an event come to pass the Selborne Society must be up and doing.” 
Judging from the account given in the local papers the large audience was 
most enthusiastic in its applause of the speakers and of an excellent musical enter- 
tainment. We commend this account to the notice of the very large number of 
clergymenjwho are members of the Selborne Society. They will find that such meet- 
ings will not only further a good cause, but afford pleasure and instruction to their 
parishioners. In connection with this subject, we would warmly recommend to 
our readers the important letter of Mr. Musgrave in another column on “The 
Selbornian Propaganda.” 
From Bath we often receive interesting communications. It is one of the 
oldest, most active, and influential of the Branches of the Selborne Society, which 
always heartily co-operates with the Central Council in any good work that has to 
be done. A resolution of that Branch has recently been received expressing its 
entire concurrence with, and approval of, the action taken by the Council with 
regard to what has come to be known as the “Grassholm outrage.” At the last 
meeting of the Council the question of the devastation of Cheddar Cliffs was, on 
the principle of devolution, relegated to the Bath Branch, as being most capable 
of bringing local influence to bear on the matter. Mr. Wheatcroft, the Hon. 
Secretary, has already taken the matter up, and we have no doubt that every 
thing that it is possible to do in such a difficult matter will be done. 
We may state here that we have received copies of the Bath Chromde, con- 
taining the first of a series of papers on “ Ornithology in connection with Agricul- 
ture and Horticulture,” by C. Parkinson, F. G.S. The idea is a good one, and 
the present specimen on “Hawks and Falcons” is most interesting to Sel- 
bornians, and well shows the utter folly of gamekeepers in their destruction of 
the kestrel hawk. 
We frequently receive applications concerning back numbers of the Selborne 
Magazine ; in many cases we have been able to supply our correspondents with 
the numbers required, but have not been able to secure a copy for January, 1888, 
which is asked for by Dr. Evans, Treasurer of the Royal Society. Perhaps some 
of our readers may be able to help in this matter. It may be useful to state that 
Miss A. M. Buckton, Weycombe, Haslemere, has for sale two complete copies 
of the volume for 18S9, and one copy each of February, September, and 
November, in the same year. 
It is particularly requested that subscriptions and letters bearing on the general 
business of the Society should not be forwarded to the Editors, but to the Secretary 
of the Selborne Society, 9, Adam Street, Adelphi. Editorial communications 
should be addressed to the Rev. Percy Myles, i, Argyle Road, Ealing, \\ . 
