IRature IRotes : 
XTbc Selborne Society's flDaoa3tne. 
No. 157. JANUARY, 1903. Vol. XIV. 
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. 
SELBORN I A N A. 
So Picturesque ! — After Saturday’s run with Sir John 
Heathcote Amory’s staghounds there occurred what the Tiverton 
Gazette regards as an “ interesting incident.” After the stag had 
been killed, Captain Amory, who had left the field, returned 
with his wife and nurse, the latter “ carrying in her arms Captain 
Amory’s twelve-months’-old son. With all due solemnity the 
child was ‘blooded,’ a nice little red patch being put on the 
infant’s left cheek by Captain Amory. ... It was also 
noted that the inevitable camera (in the hands of fair ladies) 
‘ snapped ’ what will no doubt make a pretty picture.” “ Pretty” 
is surely the last epithet to apply to this rather messy proceed- 
ing, which when performed at the age of one seems to lose even 
its ordinarily modest measure of significance. If “blooding” 
were unknown in this country, and this description had been 
given of it as a strange practice existing, say, among the Boers, 
we wonder what adjectives would have been thought appropriate 
for the horrid customs of that barbarous and untutored race. — 
Morning Leader. 
