3 JANUARY 1931, Page 23

A SLUR ON SPORT.

With reference to your comments in Nature Notes entitled " A Slur on Sport," might I, with all deference, make a helpful suggestion as regards future slaughtering ? I suggest that the size of the bags of these sportsmen might be increased in the future if the following measures were adopted. For a week previous to the hatching season a hundred beaters, under the supervision of gamekeepers, should scour the entire property for nests. When found, nests to be marked by a flag. A few days later the sportsmen should assemble armed with two stout bludgeons apiece. Each lusty thwack would kill at least two brace of birds. Cartridges and expense would be saved, and a still bigger bag go down to " sporting." history.—A. RAn.tvis.