11 JANUARY 1935, Page 16

The Watcher

The annual report of a smaller and a local Trust emphasizes one item of cost in land ownership whose object is preserva- tion. The Norfolk Naturalists Trust, much the largest manager of sanctuaries within Britain, spend a very large part of their funds on watchers. These men are invaluable both as observers and protectors. They are out and about at all hours of the day and night, and acquire an almost exhaustive knowledge of every live thing on their preserve. They keep guard over a rare bird's nest as efficiently as a policeman over the Crown Jewels. They have on occasion used their fists as well as their eyes with singular effect; and the swollen ear has discouraged the local marauder even more effectively than the legal fine. A great many more watchers of their type are needed, and will be needed in a National Park as well as in a bird or plant or insect sanctuary.