Welsh Journals

WALES. Vol. III.] JULY, 1896. [No. 27. TONYPANDY TIMOTHY. 'nrWAS Tonypandy Timothy who tripped along to the meeting, -*- And he was dressed in his Sunday best, and his Sunday face was clean, The neighbours all. both great and small, came in for his kindly greeting, His book in hand, he took his stand, two staid old deacons between. And when he came out, a merry rout of children at his heels Cried " There goes Tim, let's follow him, he has plenty of sweets for all! " " Now Nance and Bet, pray don't forget,"—in his pocket he fumbles and feels,— " Each lad and lass, the singing class, but come both great and small." II. 'Tis Tonypandy Timothy who is borne along amid singing, And cries of despair now pierce the air for many a loved one dead; For the fire-damp fell hath cast its spell, and the bodies of men they're bringing, Brave husbands and fathers and brothers dear, hewn down where the black death sped. Where each bore a load of poignant grief, was there none to sorrow for Tim ? His Sunday face and his cheery voice will be missed more than words can tell. And he doth but pass to a singing class that cannot but welcome him, And children there will greet him fair, and fall under his songful spell! Owen George. AN EARNEST APPEAL. N the Ornithologist for June, 1896, appeared the following note,— Kites in Wales. In the cata¬ logue of Mr. Stephens' sale of natural history specimens, on April 13, 1896, lot 315 is "A superb nest and two eggs of kite, with photo of nest in situation taken last April in mid-Wales, data given." If whole-clutch egg- collectors are allowed to have a free hand much longer, this nest is worth putting on record, for in • very short time there will be no more Welsh kites for mercenary collectors to rob. O. V. Aplin (Bloxham, Oxon). The writer of this note is an eminent 19 289 ornithologist, who two years ago spent a few days with me in a remote Welsh valley, with the object of observing,—not of molesting,—the very interesting birds in which the district abounds. On that occasion we found that a kite's nest had already been destroyed or taken. The same disaster happens to these splendid birds every year; and, in a short time, a Mr. Aplin says, Wales will be deprived Oi the honour of being the only part of this island in which the kite still ventures to prolung a harassed and precarious existence. Even as it is, the number of pairs in Wales is probably to be counted on the fingers,— I had almost said, of one hand. As all County Councils have now the power to protect not only birds, but also their eggs, with the sanction of the Home Secretary, I would earnestly appeal to the members of such councils as may not already have taken steps to lend a helping