42 
NATURE NOTES 
A cordial invitation is given by the Executive Committee te 
members of the Selborne Society to be present, and it is to be 
hoped that many members will be able to attend the Session. 
Wolmer Forest. — In the last number of Nature Notes 
the progress up to that time of the movement to make Wolmer 
Forest a sanctuary for wild animals was recorded. A communi- 
cation from the Secretary of State for War has now been 
received by Mr. Whitburn. Lord Lansdowne expresses his 
sympathy with the aims of the memorialists, and believes that 
the system now in force is the best for obtaining the results 
desired. He sends a copy of a letter received at the War Office 
from the Secretary of the Aldershot Game Preserving Society. 
The letter is as follows : — 
“ Aldershot, January 8, 1898. 
“ Sir, — With regard to the protection of bird life in Wolmer 
Forest I have the honour to report as follows : — 
“(1) I took over the management of the Officers’ Shooting 
Association (in connection with the Government ground in ques- 
tion) in 1895, and since that date all birds have been strictly 
protected by my orders. 
“ (2) No birds except game birds have been allowed to be 
shot. 
“ (3) All hawks, owls, and other birds have been carefully 
preserved as far as possible. The heronry has gradually in- 
creased from one nest a few years ago to about twenty nests 
now, and nearly fifty young herons flew from the nests in 1897. 
“ (4) Foxes also are strictly preserved. 
“ (5) But I beg to point out that this preservation both of 
birds and animals is carried out with extreme difficulty owing to 
the destruction carried out by the gamekeepers on private land 
all round the forest. In my opinion, to make the preservation a 
success, a large area round the outskirts of the forest should be 
included in the scheme for protection. For instance, hobbies 
and hen harriers have visited the forest during the last three 
years, but their lives are not safe outside the forest. 
“ In conclusion, I have to state that the Game Association 
has taken since 1895, and will take, every means in its power to 
carry out the suggestions in the memorial referred to ; but these 
efforts are more or less nullified by the action of people outside 
the forest. 
“ I have the honour to be, Sir, 
“ Your obedient servant, 
“ A. H. Cowie, Captain R.E., 
11 Hon. Sec. Aldershot Game Preserving Association." 
It would seem, then, that the forest is already a sanctuary 
except for game. The memorialists have, perhaps, allowed 
their zeal to outrun their discretion in engaging the interest of 
the public before obtaining a knowledge of the facts, but the 
