222 
NATURE NOTES 
“ (4) I strongly disapprove of the caging of swallows and 
woodpeckers, and consider that the former, at any rate, ought 
to be excluded from competition at shows. I believe that all 
three of the gentlemen named by you share this view, and two 
of them have written in the Avicultural Magazine protesting 
against the caging and exhibition of swallows. With regard, 
however, to nightingales and wagtails, they speedily become 
reconciled to captivity, and appear to be as happy therein as a 
canary ; and there seems to be no reason why they should not 
be shown, of course in proper cages. 
“ I consider your attempt to saddle three highly-respected 
aviculturists, with responsibility for an alleged ‘ barbarity,’ over 
which they had no control, to be, to say the least, hasty and 
ill-advised, and calculated to injure the cause which we all have 
at heart. 
“ If such attacks are to be repeated, I, and a good many 
more, will withdraw our support from the Selborne Society.” 
In reply to this letter we immediately apologised for having 
blamed the wrong persons, having seen only one list of judges. 
At the same time we pointed out to Mr. Fillmer that it is 
assuredly within the power of any committee to make a rule 
as to the size of cages. To this we are glad to say he replies: — 
“ I have never known of a Bird Show held under rules which 
provided for the disqualification of exhibits sent in improper 
cages. I agree with you that some such rule might with 
advantage be adopted, and will some day suggest it — though I 
see many difficulties. But you can hardly blame a committee 
for not adopting a rule which, so far as I am aware, has never 
until now been even proposed.” 
Mr. Long’s Dogs Bill. — We have received from Captain 
F. E. Pirkis a letter of protest as to the absence of veterinary 
experts from the inspecting staff of the Board of Agriculture — 
a matter to which the attention of one recently constituted 
protective parliamentary committee may well be directed. 
The Elephant. — A Frenchman, M. Bourdarie by name, is 
agitating just now in the interests of the elephant. He is 
appealing to the French Government and the King of the 
Belgians for support. Every year 40,000 elephants are killed 
in Africa for the sake of their ivory, and M. Bourdarie fears 
that, like the buffaloes in America, these useful animals will 
become exterminated if something is not done to limit the 
number killed. He considers that the elephant, instead of 
being destroyed, should be protected to serve the future agri- 
culturists of Central Africa, as the elephant is the only animal 
that can work in these regions. In the meantime ivory is still 
an important article of commerce in Central Africa, and the 
problem is how to get the ivory without killing the elephant. — 
Daily Chronicle. 
