146 
NATURE NOTES 
May I call your attention to the revolting statement contained in the enclosed 
newspaper cutting from to-day's Standard, with reference to the provision of 3,000 
larks for the consumption of the general public at the London Hospital Ball. 
Keeping in mind the charitable object of this event, viz., the maintenance of our 
hospitals, institutions which beyond anything else testify to our civdisalion, it 
strikes one as something more than a painful contrast that so much of the “ brute ” 
still lingers in our common humanity as is implied by this startling announcement. 
It seems to me a blot on the whole entertainment. Larks must presumably be 
very plentiful, but even putting aside the thought of a possible extermination, one 
marvels how anyone who has once revelled in the joyous strains of these little 
pastrnasters of “unpremeditated art” can bear the idea of any diminution in 
their numbers. It is impossible to conceive of our English fields without their 
hopeful little songsters, and I should feel unworthy to call myself an Englishwoman 
did I not lodge a protest against such heartless slaughter. 
Further Memorial to Richard Jefferies. — Our issue 
of last December furnished a brief account of the placing of a 
tablet on the house in Victoria Street, Swindon, at one time 
occupied by the Wiltshire writer. That was done under the 
auspices of the North Wilts Field and Camera Club, and we are 
now able to record the completion of that excellent body’s 
scheme, in the unveiling, on the 6th ult., of another tablet fixed 
on the garden wall, abutting on the road, which runs in front 
of the farm house at Coate, where Jefferies was born, and 
which has been described in “ Wild Life,”“ Meadow Thoughts,” 
“Amaryllis,” and other of his writings. The inscription on the 
tablet is as follows : — “Birthplace of Richard Jefferies. Born 
Nov. 6, 1848.” Mr. H. Bottomley Knowles, M.A., presided 
over the meeting, which listened with rapt attention to the 
appreciative address of the Club’s President, Mr. N. Story 
Maskelyne, the famous mineralogist, to whom had been confided 
the duty of unveiling. The Selborne Society was represented 
on the occasion by Mr. Geo. Avenell, who is a native of the 
parish in which Jefferies was born. It may be a convenience to 
intending visitors to know that Mr. J. Gosling, the present 
owner of the house, will allow inspection of it and the garden to 
any Selbornians applying to him. 
WAITING FOR THE TIGER'S APPROACH. 
O wait for a tiger’s approach in the manner which I 
am about to describe is most interesting, because 
so many birds and animals present themselves to view, 
whose every look, whose every act, are so perfectly 
natural that it quite fascinates, whilst it charms the solitary 
human observer, secluded and unobserved, hidden up a tree 
amongst thick foliage, with only a small window framed by 
leaves to look through. The patience of man, after remaining 
in a comfortless position for hours, fearful of moving or even 
of breathing loud, and often attacked by winged insects, ants. 
