156 
NATURE NOTES 
276. A Fine Old Thorn. — At Wortwell Hall, Norfolk, close to the 
River Waveney, there stands in the garden an old hawthorn tree, the trunk 
of which, at four feet from the ground, measures six feet seven inches in 
circumference. Though no doubt a very old tree it is still healthy, and has 
this .season made vigorous growth. At about six feet from the earth a large 
arm has been sawn off nearly equal in bulk to a third of that of the trunk at 
that height, and the tree has in its time suffered various other serious mutilations. 
It is, however, more remarkable for height than girth of trunk, and towers far 
above the tops of the chimneys of the old Hall. The lower part of the trunk 
is partly decayed, but not to such an extent as to interfere with the flow of 
the sap. 
Blaxhall, Suffolk. G. T. Rope. 
NATURAL HISTORY QUERIES. 
56. Creepers. — I hear of a creeper that has reared its young in a swallow’s 
nest. Is not this very unusual ? 
Edmund Thos. Daubeny. 
57. Chameleon. — I have a chameleon. Can any of your readers kindly 
give me hints about managing and feeding him ? 
Cheviot House, Berwick-on-Tweed. F. M. N. 
July 12, 1905. 
58. Are Holly Berries Poisonous? — In “Flowers of the Field,” by 
Johns, it is said, “ The berries, it should be borne in mind, are poisonous.” To 
what creatures are they poisonous? In hard weather missel-thrushes often 
appropriate holly trees by driving away other birds, and do not cease to keep 
guard till they have eaten all the berries. On these they live and thrive for 
weeks at a time. 
Edmund Thos. Daubeny. 
[Holly berries are certainly not poisonous to birds, but on human beings they 
have purgative and emetic effects, which justify some caution against eating 
them. “ Poisonous ” is a vague term. — E d. N.N.'\ 
SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES. 
[Note. — All Announcements with regard to Meetings of the 
Central Society or Branches will be found together at the end 
OF THESE Notices.] 
OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY. 
To promote the study of Natural History. To pieserve from needless 
destruction such wild animals and plants as are harmless, beautiful, or rare. To 
discourage the wearing and use for ornament of: (i) The skins and furs of such 
animals as are in danger of being exterminated ; (2) the skins and plumage of 
such birds as are not domesticated. To protect places and objects of natural 
beauty or antiquarian interest from ill-treatment or destruction. To afford 
facilities for combined effort in promoting any of the above or kindred objects. 
Annual Dinner. — It was decided by the Council at the Meeting held on 
June 27, that an annual dinner should be held in November in London, at a cost 
not exceeding 5s. per head. Any members desirous of being present should 
communicate with the Honorary Secretary. P'uither particulars will be published 
from time to time in Nature Notes. 
