FOURTH REPORT OF The Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society. 1934. Edited by B. H. RYVES and G. H. HARVEY. The Annual Meeting was held at Truro on 12th February. Lady Vyvyan, in the unavoidable absence of the President, Lady Vivian, being voted to the chair. Lady Vivian had intimated that she desired to relinguish the Presidency and Lady Vyvyan was elected in her place. The Honorary Treasurer and the Joint Honorary Secretaries were re-elected en bloc. Pursuant to Rule 6, Lady Vyvyan and Major Williams retired from the Executive Committee, Lady Vivian and Mr. Polwhele being elected to fill the vacancies. Miss Waltpn Evans was elected an additional member of the Committee and the name of Mr. J. Melrose Macmillan was further proposed and, as he was not present, it was agreed that he be asked if he would be willing to serve. This he subsequently agreed to do. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the Annual Report for 1933 and the Treasurer's Account, expressed pleasure at the satisfactory progress of the Society during the year. Members were reminded that the Secretaries had acquired a stock of an admirable Summary of the Wild Birds Protection Acts, compiled by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. These are available to any member at the cost price of sixpence a copy. Several Members present volunteered to take part in the Spring Migration Scheme under the auspices of the Western Morning News, referred to on page 3 of the Annual 2 Report of 1933. Later, more Members offered to take part in it. The Western Morning News has kindly presented to the Society reprints of the four articles written in the journal by Mr. E. W. Hendy. These articles record the results of the interesting observations made and the knowledge secured. A copy of these reprints is available gratis to any Member on application to the Secretaries. The following alteration in the latter part of Rule 5 was agreed to:—" Any Member who both signs the declaration form and pays the first subscription after September 30 in any year shall not be liable to pay a further subscription until the close of the following year." Mr. A. C. Polwhele again kindly consented to act as Honorary Auditor of the Accounts for 1933. The Meeting terminated with an interesting discussion, in which a number of the Members present joined, on various bird observations they had made. The Second General Meeting was held at Truro on 23rd October, the President in the chair. Lt.-Col. Ryves recounted certain happenings in the spring in connection with the raiding of Ravens' nests on the North coast of the County by a gang of egg-collectors from up- country who regrettably received local assistance. Full details of the raid are recorded in the Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting held in May. The Society had taken rapid action in the hope of lessening the risk of further raids on later nesting birds by issuing posters, covering the coast from St. Agnes to Morwenstow, offering a reward of £10 for information leading to the conviction of any offenders. It was further reported to this meeting that the Society had made a presentation of gifts to two farmers' wives in appreciation of their prompt action in giving information which resulted in the saving of a Chough's nest from robbery. Happily, the up-country raiders did not make a second appearance during the nesting season. The reward was not claimed. A lengthy discussion ensued in regard to the Society's attitude towards the proposed Bill for the total abolition of the Steel Trap, which is promoted by the University 3 of London Animal Welfare Society and strongly supported by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The Society, being a Bird Protection Society, was logically bound to back the Bill, quite apart from the fact that the Steel Trap was a blot on civilisation. This trap was responsible for the distruction annually of a large number of birds, and had undoubtedly been a factor in the deplorable status to-day of the Chough in Cornwall. It was unanimously decided that the Society should support the Bill and inform its promoters of its support. A hope was expressed that Mr. J. L. Palmer, on receipt of a complimentary copy of this Report, might see his way to assist towards the passing of the Bill by drawing attention to it in the Western Morning News. Besides the discussions to back the Bill, the meeting urged all members and their friends to try to persuade trappers to cover their " gins " during the day. The President announced that the Society had forwarded a cheque of £2 2s. Od. to the Devon Bird Watching and Preservation Society as a donation towards the purchase of the Wembury Reefs bird Sanctuary. This was received with acclamation. Dr. R. H. Blair again entertained the meeting with his delightful " cine-snaps." Major Gill very kindly lent his apparatus and worked the lantern. Those present owe a debt of gratitude both to Dr. Blair and Major Gill, not forgetting the ready assistance given by Mr. G. Penrose, the Curator of the Museum. The Executive Committee held three meetings during the year, namely, on 12th February, 16th May and 15th September. ****** MEMBERSHIP. We regret to announce the death, during the year, of Brig.-General L. J. Hext, C.M.G., at Trewornan. We have to record the following resignations with effect from the close of the year:— Miss Evans, Boulder Cottage, Trevone, Padstow. Mrs. E. Dwight, Boslowick, Falmouth. Mr. Lewis, Mawgan Porth. Miss C. Lewis, Mawgan Porth. Mr. T. K. Bullmore, Mawnan, Falmouth, Miss M. Pratt, Camborne, 4 LIST OF MEMBERS. Adams, S. H. A., Trenance, Mawgan Porth. Agnew, P. G., Comdr., M.P., Trevanion, Camborne. Anderson, B. W., Thatched Cottage, Whyteleafe, Farleigh, Surrey. Anderson, Mrs. I. M., Thatched Cottage, Whyteleafe, Farleigh, Surrey. Banfield, R., The Hillyers, Bodmin. Barker, Miss W. M., Tregye Cottage, Devoran, Truro. Benaton, Rev. H. A., St. Gwinear Vicarage, Hayle. Bennett, Miss Lorna, Byways, Trenio, Padstow. Benson, Mrs. S. R., Bishop's Hill, Polzeath, Wadebridge. Benson, Miss M. M., Bishop's Hill, Polzeath, Wadebridge. Benson, Miss G. V., Bishop's Hill, Polzeath, /Wadebridge. Bewes, Mrs. N., Trelill, Marlborough Road, Falmouth. Bickford-Smith, Mrs. G., Trevarno, Near Helston. Bickford-Smith, J. C, Trevarno, Near Helston. Bickford-Smith, W. N., Trevarno, Near Helston. Blair, Dr. R. H., Roslyn, Basset Road, Camborne. Bolitho, Mrs. F., Trewidden, Buryas Bridge. Bolitho, Lt.-Col. E. H. W., Trengwainton, Madron. Bridger, J. A. D., J.P., 7, Alverton Terrace, Penzance. Bury, Miss V. M., Colletts, Westerham, Kent. Butler, Miss F. S., Loe Vean, Feock, Truro. Campbell, Mrs. H. M. E., Rock, Wadebridge. Cattley, W. E., Pencarrow, Washaway. Chilcott, H. T., Penlee, Truro. Clarke, A. C, Ponsanooth, Perranwell Station. Clowes, Miss, Byways, Trenio, Padstow. Coldrey, A. A., Trenowan, Camborne. Cooper, Miss B. B., Heyle, Helford Passage, Falmouth. Cox, A. H. Machell, Knightstone, Yelverton, Devon. Croggan, Miss, Trenance, Mawgan Porth. Grossman, A. L., Lezerea, Ruan Minor, Grade. Crossman, Mrs. S., Lezerea, Ruan Minor, Grade. Cunningham, Miss D. W., St. Anthony, Praa Sands, Marazion. Dorrien-Smith, Major A. A., D.S.O., J.P., Tresco Abbey, Isles of Scilly. Evans, Miss B. Walton, John's Corner, Goldsithney, Marazion. Fenn, H. L., Copperhouse, Hayle. Foot, Isaac, M.P., Pencrebar, Callington. Foreman, Miss M., County School, Truro. 5 Foster, Mrs., Lawn Cliff, Flushing, Falmouth. Foster, Miss M. P., Penmilder, Liskeard. Fox, H. E., Croker, Tregenver, Falmouth. Fox, Leonard, Innesfree, Carbis Bay. Fox, Miss M. V., Glendurgan, Falmouth. Gill, Mrs. M. E., Riverside, Lelant. Green, Dr. A. B., Acton Castle, Perranuthnoe, Marazion. Gunning, Mrs. S. L., The Rectory, Mawgan, St. Columb Minor. Hartley, P. H. Trahair, Bosavern, Christchurch Park, Sutton, Surrey. Harvey, Miss E. L., Rose Hill, Padstow. Harvey, G. H., Peatswood, Lidden Estate, Penzance (Joint Hon. Secretary). Harvey, Mrs. D. C, Peatswood, Lidden Estate, Penzance. Hawkey, W. J. M., 32, Cliff Road, Newquay. Hawkey, Mrs., 32, Cliff Road, Newquay. Haworth, Rev. J. J., St. Clement Vicarage, Truro. Henderson-Bull, Mrs. M. B., Marlborough, Falmouth. Hendy, E. W., Holt Anstiss, Porlock, Somerset. Hepburn, Mrs. B., Rock, Wadebridge. Hepburn, Ian, Laxton House, Oundle, Northamptonshire. Hicks, Mrs. F. R., Lanhainsworth, St. Columb. Hicks, J., Lieut. R.N., Lanhainsworth, St. Columb. Hony, Miss M., Rock, Wadebridge. Hoppett, Miss V. B., Trethannas, Praze. Horsnaill, Miss F., Fairlight Cottage, Praa Sands. Hosking, J. F., Villa-Ana, Perranporth. Hurrell, H. G., Peverell Park Villa, Plymouth. Ivens-Knowles, Mrs. F., C.B.E., M.S., F.C.O.G., Killagorden, Truro. Jackson, Mrs. E., Penquite, Lelant. Jarvis, W. H., 1, Marcus Hill, Newquay. Jenkin, L., 11, Headland Road, Newquay. Johnstone, G., 26, Warham Road, South Croydon, Surrey. Lawson, H. B., The Links, Worplesdon Hill, Woking, Surrey. Lethbridge, Miss D. M. B., Tregeare, Near Launceston. Light, Miss K. E., Diocesan Training College, Truro. Luard, Major W., 14, Woodlane Terrace, Falmouth. Macmillan, J. Melrose, J.P., Trehane Cottage, Polzeath, Wadebridge. Macmillan, Mrs., Trehane Cottage, Polzeath, Wadebridge. Magor, E. J. P., J.P., Lamellen, St. Tudy. 6 Magson, Dr. E. H., Truro School, Truro. McCorkindale, Miss E., Trebetherick, Wadebridge. Meares, R. H., 2, Western Terrace, Falmouth. Meares, Mrs. M. J., 2, Western Terrace, Falmouth. Mercy, Miss (Address unknown). Moor, Miss M. R., St. Clement, Truro. Moyse, Mrs. O. R., Condurrow, St. Clement, Truro. Nalder, G. F., 7, Pydar Street, Truro. Nicholson, C, Nansgwithick, Tresillian, Truro. (Hon. Treasurer). Nicholson, Mrs., Nansgwithick, Tresillian, Truro. Olver, Miss V., 1, West Park, Saltash. Oxley, Mrs. C. A., Midland Bank House, Newquay. Pagan, Miss E. L., 1, Alexandra Terrace, Penzance.