23 APRIL 1932, Page 13

Mr. Middleton and his group of biologists have done and

are doing very good research work ; and it is to be hoped that estate owners who have any useful records will co. operate. It was, however, a little disturbing at the latest lecture to be shown stuffed specimens of the chief birds of prey as well as of the vermin—they included the golden eagle and the polecat --and the only inference one could draw from the speech of the introducer was that these were the animals which ought to be shot by game-preservers. Apart from humanity it is not of advantage even for the most ardent game-preservers to kill off the birds of prey or even the mammal vermin.