IRature IRotes : 
tEhc Sclbornc Society’s ni>aoa3lne. 
No. 155. NOVEMBER, 1902. Vol. XIII. 
OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY. 
To preserve from unnecessary destruction such wild birds, 
animals, and plants as are harmless, beautiful, or rare. To 
discourage the wearing and use for ornament of birds and their 
plumage, except when the birds are killed for food or reared 
for their plumage. To protect places and objects of antiquarian 
interest or natural beauty from ill-treatment or destruction. To 
promote the study of natural history. 
SELBORNIANA. 
The Wakes. — The following paragraphs appeared recently 
in the Bristol Mercury : — 
“ The old home of Gilbert White is for sale. The fact, having found its way 
into the daily press, opens up a question of absorbing interest to all lovers of the 
great naturalist and his classic work, ‘ The Natural History of Selborne.’ 
“The October issue of Nature Notes states that the Council of the Selborne 
Society have the matter of purchase under due consideration, their proposal being 
to have the house purchased and retained as a public trust. It would be more 
than a matter of congratulation, both for naturalists and the nation at large, if 
such an object could be obtained. ‘ The Wakes ’ at Selborne has always been 
looked upon as a veritable shrine of one who devoted the major portion of his life 
to the study of Nature and her ways. Here, in his old home, Gilbert White 
pursued his studies from year to year, and found, as all such students do find, that 
the paths of Nature are ‘ ways of pleasantness and peace.’ Far too few literary 
and historical shrines are left to us ; many that could have been preserved have 
been ruthlessly demolished by that ‘ destroying angel ’ of so-called modern im- 
provements— the master builder. It is sincerely to be hoped that the far-famed 
residence at Selborne will not fall into the hands of some ‘ utilitarian ’ purchaser. 
Such an event would be a catastrophe. 
“An excellent proposal in connection with the purchase of ‘The Wakes’ has 
been made by Mr. R. Hedger Wallace, one of the prime movers in the recent 
