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Obituary



to do so in the case of those in need of special protection. Though if

his first statement is correct that “ the bird population suffers no

diminution ” through wholesale collecting, it is difficult to understand

why he stayed his hand. Mr. Chance has pursued his investigations

to the point of taking as many as three clutches laid in the same season

by the same birds. According to him, only the expert egg-collector

finds the nests of rare birds, and he (naturally !) looks for them only

at the appropriate time. Therefore the repeat layings protect the

bird from further disturbance except, of course, if followed up, and this

would never be done by any reputable collector “ to the detriment

of the species ”. Mr. Chance does not explain how a second “ reputable

collector ” who chances on a nest containing a “ repeat clutch ” knows

that it is a repeat clutch, and therefore taboo. He also may wish to

ascertain how often a bird can be robbed without detriment to the

species.


The article from which I have quoted says that “ not everyone

will accept Mr. Chance’s reassurances ”, and with this most members

of the Avicultural Society will agree.


E. F. C.



OBITUARY


MR. BLAY


Members of the Avicultural Society will hear with regret of the

very sudden death of Mr. G. Blay, which took place on Saturday,

25th July. Mr. Blay had a very large collection of birds, especially

Pheasants, and only last month he entertained the members of the

Ornamental Pheasant Society, of which he was President, to a garden

party at his house at Ditton Hill, Surbiton, and allowed them to

inspect his fine aviaries. Mr. Blay joined the Avicultural Society in

May, 1934.



E. F. C.



