ANNUAL MEETING 
129 
view of the subject, but he thought most landlords would be 
desirous of assisting the Society to prevent children and others 
picking wild flowers. They did a great deal of mischief, as most 
of the wild flowers appeared when the birds laid their eggs. 
The result was that, while searching for wild flowers, birds’ nests 
were likely to be found, and then the eggs were taken. Pheasants 
also were driven olT their nests, and that was most annoying. 
Every one who had a few pheasants would sympathise with the 
Society if it took the step indicated. It might possibly be wrong 
to have a few pheasants, but he was certain that those who had 
would support the Society if it endeavoured to prevent the 
picking of wild flowers. In the colonies long excursions were 
made on Bank Holidays, which days were, he believed, rather 
in the Chairman’s way, and they were greatly appreciated as 
being the best time upon which to go upon long excursions. 
Prizes were given for the best essay on what had been seen, 
and he commended the idea to the Selborne Society. Also he 
suggested that Lord Avebury would probably undertake to read 
the essays and decide which was the best. 
Lord Avebury remarked that he would rather give the prize 
and get Sir John Goldney to judge the essays. 
The report was unanimously adopted. 
Mr. Chas. West moved the election of officers for the 
ensuing year. 
In seconding the motion Mr. E. A. Martin referred to the 
recent change of secretary that had taken place, and remarked 
how much all were indebted to the new Secretary for the work 
he had performed for the Society. He thought he should refer 
to that subject at that meeting, notwithstanding the fact that the 
Secretary was appointed by the Council. Proceeding to refer 
to the subject of the protection of plants, in which they were all 
much interested, he expressed the opinion that it was a branch 
they must take up in the future, and announced that Professor 
Boulger was going to read a paper on the subject at Canterbury 
this summer. He proceeded to direct attention to the Gilbert 
White exhibits which were on view within the building, and 
explained them at some length, particularly referring to a Bible 
in which were recorded the births and deaths of members of 
Gilbert White’s family. 
Passing on to the subject of lopping trees in order to put up 
Coronation stands, he said that around Westminster Abbey 
some of the young trees had been lopped almost out of recogni- 
tion, and they now appeared to resemble articles sometimes 
seen in gardens and known as clothes-props. The only use they 
could be put to, so far as he could see, was for the users of the 
stands to hang up their superfluous clothes upon them. As to 
the Piccadilly widening, he hoped it would do what was intended 
of it, and he noted with satisfaction that small trees had been 
planted to replace those that had been removed. 
The motion was agreed to and the following officers were 
re-elected : — 
