15 
Mr. Winter, in answer to tlie chairman, said that in the Western 
District he found indigenous birds injurious to his fruit trees, par¬ 
ticularly the black magpies. A simple plan of frightening birds 
away, was a bottle bell hung to the trees, which was made by cut¬ 
ting off the bottom of a champagne bottle, by means of a cotton 
wick saturated in turpentine, which must be ignited, and the bottle 
dipped when hot into a bucket of cold water, a piece of hard cork 
or soft wood suspended from the mouth of the bottle formed a 
clapper, which was kept in motion by a feather inserted in it. He 
(Mr. Winter), had found this plan answer very well. 
Count de Castelnau spoke of a plan said to be adopted by the 
Malays, that of hanging up a wooden effigy pierced with holes, the 
wind passing through which, caused most unearthly noises. 
Dr. Joseph Black called attention to the fact, that hares were 
being frequently killed, and hoped that an expression of disapproval 
from the Society would have the effect of preventing persons from 
wantonly destroying those valuable animals, before they had become 
thoroughly established. 
The President said, that the Society had done what it could to 
punish persons who were caught destroying hares, he was pleased to 
stato that in many parts of the country hares were abundant If 
they were allowed to increase unmolested for a couple of years more 
tho law would be changed, and coursing might be allowed without 
objection. 
Mr. Christy said he had noticed the sparrows doing good service 
in his garden, by killing the aphis on roses. 
Dr. Pugh added, that sparrows sent to a gentleman at Sunbury, 
had not only done no mischief to the fruit, but cleared the garden 
of aphis, and been a great benefit in all respects. 
Mr. Were remarked, on tho other hand, that according to tho 
testimony of market gardeners, the destructive qualities of the 
sparrow had far exceeded its beneficial qualities. 
The President said that the letters furnished on the subject by 
market gardeners and others to the Society, came from a small 
number of persons, and were not all of a trustworthy character 
The English people were naturally given to grumbling, and not only 
