148 OFFICIAL NOTICES, &c. THE object of the Selborne Society is to unite lovers of Nature for common study and the defence of natural objects (birds, plants, beautiful landscapes, &c.) against the destruction by which they are constantly menaced. The minimum Annual Subscription (which entitles the subscriber to a monthly copy of the Society's Magazine) is 2s. 6d. All particulars as to membership may be obtained from the Secretary of the Selborne Society, 9, Adam Street, Adelphi, W.C. Ar the last three meetings of the Council of the Selborne Society the subject of leaflets and placards has been under discussion. As our readers know, a very large number of leaflets have been issued by the Society and also many broadsides or notices in large type protesting against wanton destruction of plants and animals. These have been very successful both in arresting injury and in procuring new members for the Society. But many of the leaflets and notices are out of print, and others are for various reasons obsolete. A sub-committee has been appointed for the purpose of producing new leaflets and re-issuing some of the old ones, bringing them, where necessary, up to date. The sub-com mittee will be pleased to receive from members suggestions for leaflets to be issued, and from the branches copies of any local leaflets or notices protesting against destruction, which may have been found useful. MSS. or printed matter (not necessarily to be published) bearing on this subject may be sent either to the Secretary of the Society or to the editorial department of NATURE Notes. SOME of our readers have enquired as to cases for binding the vols. of NATURE NOTES. The question has been considered, but before finally deciding on the expense, we should be glad if those who would like to have such cases would be kind enough to send post cards to that effect, so that we might have some idea of the number required. THE difficulty, or rather impossibility, of printing the many contributions which are kindly sent to us still continues. We have received several queries from contributors as to the fate of their MSS. In many cases the articles have been retained in the hope of utilising them in some future number; but the continual supply of new matter has frustrated our intention. We have determined, therefore, to return most of the postponed contributions to those who were good enough to supply them. We shall try in future to acknowledge and, when necessary, return contributions in all cases; as we should be very sorry that the influx of interesting communications which have reached us should be checked by the impossibility of printing them all. Much more could be done in this way if the Magazine were enlarged; but the subscriptions to the Magazine Fund do not warrant this. WE find it necessary to remind our correspondents again how necessary it is that their MSS. should be legitle, especially in the case of proper names and scientific terms. We should also be glad if correspondents would write only on one side of the paper, and if they would carefully distinguish private advice and admonitions to the Editors from the matter which they are desirous of seeing inserted in NATURE NOTES. It is particularly requested that subscriptions and letters bearing on the general business of the Society, should not be forwarded to the Editors, but to the Secretary of the Selborne Society, 9, Adam Street, Adelphi. Editorial communications should be addressed to the Rev. PERCY MYLES, I, Argyle Road, Ealing, W. WILLIAM WESLEY & SON, Scientific Booksellers & Publishers, 28, Essex Street, Strand, LONDON. Just Published: Parts 1 & 2, 4to, 6 coloured plates, 5s. each part, post free. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS, by H. Nehrling. To be completed in 12 parts, containing 36 coloured plates, after Water-colour Drawings by Robert Ridgway, A. Goering, and Gustav Muetzel. 1889. "Your work is far more satisfactory than other works which have come before me professing more than they performed. Your pages bear evidence of careful and enthusiastic observation and study of our birds, and, while containing much having that value to science which always attaches to records of original observation, is, at the same time, by no means too technical for bird lovers who are not ornithologists. There is an out-of-doors' atmosphere to your pen-pictures, a flavour of the woods and fields, which cannot fail to be appreciated by all who appreciate Nature."-E. P. BICKNELL of the American Ornithologists' Union. Crown 8vo, with one Plate, Cloth (published 3s. 6d.), 2s. 6d. THE HOUSE SPARROW, by J. H. Gurney, jun., Col. C. Russell, and Dr. Elliott Coues. 1885. CONTENTS:-The House Sparrow, by an Ornithologist,-J. H. Gurney, jun. The House Sparrow, by a Friend of the Farmers,-Colonel C. Russell. The House Sparrow in Yarrell's British Birds. The Sparrow in our Bill of Fare. The English Sparrow in America, by Dr. Elliott Coues. A Ruffian in Feathers, by Olive Thorne Miller. Recently published, each post free on receipt of the price. NATURAL HISTORY & SCIENTIFIC BOOK CIRCULAR: Containing a priced list of W. WESLEY & SON's stock of Scientific Works. No. 98. Ornithology, Mammalia, Faunas and Geography. (Over 1,000 works), price 4d. W. WESLEY AND SON, 28, ESSEX STREET, STRAND, LONDON. MONOGRAPH OF THE BRITISH CICADE OR TETTIGIIDÆ. (FROGHOPPERS AND GRASSFLIES.) By GEORGE BOWDLER BUCKTON, F.R.S., Corr. Memb. Acad. Nat. Hist. of Philadelphia, Memb. de la Soc. Ent. de France. Illustrated by more than 400 Coloured Drawings. InEigh Parts. Demy 8vo. Part I. 8s. (Ready.) No coloured monograph of the British Cicada exists, and it is even believed that no adequately illustrated monograph exists of European species. Partly to meet this want, it is proposed to publish eight quarterly parts, each containing on an average ten litho-chromo plates and letterpress, illustrating the forms, metamorphoses, general anatomy, and the chief details connected with the life-history of this family of insects. The work will contain also short diagnoses of all the British species, about 230 in number, most of which have come under the author's notice, each species being illustrated by one or more coloured drawings. Some account will be given of the curious myths and tales told by ancient Greek and Latin poets, and descriptions will be appended relating to the curious sound-organs possessed by some species, and other subjects connected with the economy of this interesting but difficult group of Rhynchotous insects. Mr. Buckton's name is well known to entomologists, and this book represents the labour and observation of many years. MACMILLAN & CO., LONDON. SEELEY & Co., Limited, Essex St., Strand. THE PORTFOLIO. An Artistic Periodical. Edited by P. G. HAMERTON. Published Monthly, price Half-a-Crown. HE PORTFOLIO having now nearly completed the twentieth year of its existence, the Editor and Publishers have decided to take the beginning of the year 1890 as a convenient opportunity for the introduction of several important improvements. The text will be printed in a larger and handsomer type. The double columns will be abolished, except in the case of the ART CHRONICLE, which will be so paged that when the volume is bound it can be placed consecutively at the end. The new page will afford opportunities for the introduction of ornamental initial letters (which the narrow column did not admit), headpieces and tailpieces, copied from good examples, or expressly designed. As it will contain somewhat less matter than before, the number of pages will be proportionately increased. The INDUSTRIAL ARTS of the present day will receive fuller notice than hitherto. The wrapper will bear a new device, and the cloth binding will be improved in colour and design. These alterations will contribute to the noble appearance of the yearly volume. An illustrated prospectus may be obtained from the publishers. Now is the time to subscribe. THE PORTFOLIO VOLUME FOR 1889 IS NOW READY, containing 36 plates and about 150 minor Illustrations. Price 35s., cloth, gilt edges; or 42s., half morocco. LONDON: SEELEY & CO., LIMITED, ESSEX STREET, STRAND. The Clergy List for 1890 (FORTY-NINTH YEAR), Containing a Complete List of the Clergy of England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and the Colonies. Fully Corrected and Revised up to the time of going to press. Price 10s. 6d. PUBLISHED FOR THE PROPRIETORS BY KELLY & CO., 51, Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, W.C. Mature Notes; the Selborne Society's Magazine. All Advertisements for the above Magazine should be sent to F. TALLIS & SON, 22, Wellington Street, Strand, W.C. ADVERTISEMENTS inserted on the most favourable terms in all Newspapers Periodicals, and Magazines. JOHN BALE & SONS, Steam Printers, 87-89, Great Titchfield Street, W. Booksellers & Publishers, INCLUDING GOULD'S ORNITHOLOGICAL WORKS AND OTHER WORKS IN NATURAL HISTORY. Second-hand Book Department. OLD AND SECOND-HAND BOOKS.The Stock is now, as it has been for many years, of unusual extent and variety, and is receiving constant additions. A Monthly Catalogue has now been issued for over forty years. Specimen Number gratis. New and Bound Book Department. STANDARD BOOKS AND NEW PUBLICATIONS.-All the Standard Works, particularly those necessary for an English Library, together with the new books issued by the leading publishers, are kept constantly in stock. Complete General Catalogue, large 8vo. (pp. 380), cloth, price 3s. 6d., post free. Libraries and Books Bought. O EXECUTORS, SOLICITORS, & OTHERS :-The Advertisers, who have the largest Stock of Second-hand Books in London, are at all times prepared to INSPECT, VALUE and PURCHASE LIBRARIES or smaller Collections of Books either in Town or Country, and to give the utmost value in cash. Experienced Valuers promptly sent. REMOVALS WITHOUT TROUBLE OR EXPENSE TO SELLERS. Telegraphic Address :-Bookmen, London. 136, Strand, W.C. and 36, Piccadilly, W. |