3 FEBRUARY 1939, Page 17

A Great Bird-lover

The whole company of English naturalists will grieve greatly at the death of Dr. Sydney Long. He was more than a good and ardent observer. He was a pioneer in the art and craft of bird-preservation. The Norfolk Naturalists' Trust, of which he was author and begetter, has made permanent the preserva- tion of a number of the most precious of our bird-sanctuaries. Both on its own and in association with the National Trust, it has ensured the protection of birds at Scolt Head, at Blakeney Spit, on the Cley Marshes, and on one of the most peaceful of the Broads. Dr. Long not only helped to appoint professional watchers : he inspired friends to keep watch and ward, and himself discovered and brought to book unauthorised egg- stealers. His place will be hard to fill, for the Trust is a progressive body, that intended and intends to enlarge its activities. Not long before his death Dr. Long said that he was particularly grateful to two papers, The Times and The Spectator, for their help in regard to the Trust ; but it was to his own untiring zest, energy, tact and wisdom that the Norfolk Naturalists' Trust owed its supremacy. Happily, Norfolk is so full of fine naturalists that the continuance of his work cannot be for a moment in doubt.

* * *