4 
NATURE NOTES 
be lightly made to take away any part of the only extensive 
stretch of forest land left in England, and naturalists and Sel- 
bornians generally may have something to say upon the matter. 
Up to the present time a private Act of Parliament has been the 
only instrument of encroaching, and the immediate need, viz., 
land for a sewage scheme at Lyndhurst, might be met in that 
way. What do local Selbornians think ? 
Churchyard Bottom Wood at Highgate. — The Parks and 
Open Spaces Committee of the London County Council recom- 
mended in their report that a contribution of ^2,500 be made by 
the Council towards the purchase money required. This is a 
much smaller amount than the promoters and friends of the 
scheme hoped for ; and, if no more be granted, the scheme of 
purchase will almost certainly fail. At a meeting of the Council 
held on December 21, Mr. Shaw Lefevre moved as an amend- 
ment to the report that the recommendation be referred back to 
the Committee with instructions to consider whether the proposed 
contribution should not be increased. The amendment was 
carried by a large majority. There is consequently firm ground 
for hope that a grant sufficient for the purpose will now be 
made. The total amount of contributions is about ^23,600, and 
the balance required ^6,400. 
The Commons Preservation Society. — We have received 
the report of the proceedings of this Society during the years 
1893 to 1896. The curious deliberation in reporting its pro- 
ceedings is in remarkable contrast to the alert promptness of the 
proceedings themselves. The principal work is the examination 
of bills, both public and private, affecting commons and open 
spaces, and the opposition offered, both in Parliament and else- 
where, to objectionable proposals contained in such bills. Another 
important service is that of giving advice to local authorities 
and private individuals in cases where “ the interests of the 
public are being injuriously affected in respect of commons, open 
spaces, roadside wastes, and footpaths.” The Society claims 
that it has saved 50,000 acres from enclosure, and obtained 
regulating schemes for 1 10,000 acres. Lords of manors hold it 
in wholesome terror, and even railway companies regard it with 
deference. Valcat ! 
Late Nesting. — On December 17, while crossing a field some three or four 
miles from my house, I saw a bird on Ihe ground, which, as it did not fly away at 
my approach, I at first thought had been injured. On taking it up, however, 
which I had no difficulty in doing, it proved to be a young thrush, fully fledged 
but unable to fly. I carried it to the shelter of the hcdgeside where it quickly 
ran off among the long grass. I had read of a thrush’s nest being found 
containing eggs in the adjoining valley (Wharfedale) a week or two ago. 
W. 
