" A BILL TO AMEND THE WILD BIRDS' PROTECTION ACT ' Si 



me a very important part of the business. Places should not 

 be protected indiscriminately, or merely to indulge a senti- 

 ment ; but only where need of protection is shewn, and the 

 local authority, with whom the initiatory steps rest, would do 

 well to consult local naturalists before applying for leave to 

 put the Act in operation within its jurisdiction. But, most 

 of all, I would urge that the very fullest notice should in each 

 year be given concerning the reserved places. Few school- 

 boys read newspapers ; and, if they do, they scarcely glance 

 at the advertisements. The notice required by the Bill 

 seems therefore ludicrously inadequate. It should be per- 

 emptory that notice be given at the door of every place of 

 worship in the district, and more especially in every school- 

 room, and should be repeated year after year at the proper 

 season. Still further, I would urge for it to be at least 

 suggested that the local authority should give warning by 

 placards, or the like, at the boundaries of every reserved spot 

 The conditions under which this is possible must necessarily 

 vary so greatly that all could not be specified in an Act ; 

 but the principle of the Act should be prevention, and not 

 punishment. Great as is the interest I take in the welfare of 

 the British Bird, I take still greater in that of the British boy. 



I would therefore suggest that Clause 2 (i) of the Bill 

 should run as follows : x 



" One of Her Majesty's principal Secretaries of State as 

 to England and Wales, the Secretary for Scotland as to 

 Scotland, and the Lord Lieutenant as to Ireland, may, after 

 passing of this Act, upon application by any County Council 

 as to any county in Great Britain, and the Justices in Quarter 



1 Clause 2 (i) of the Bill ran as follows : 



"One of Her Majesty's principal Secretaries of State as to England and 

 Wales, the Secretary for Scotland as to Scotland, and the Lord Lieutenant as to 

 Ireland, may, after the passing of this Act, upon application by any County 

 Council as to any county in Great Britain, and the Justices in Quarter Sessions as 

 to any county in Ireland (which bodies are hereinafter respectively referred to as 

 'the Authority'), by order prohibit the taking or destroying any species of wild 

 bird, or the eggs of any species of wild bird, in any place or places within the 

 county ; and any person who shall take or destroy, or incite any other person to 

 take or destroy, any species of wild bird, or the eggs of any species included in 

 such order, in any place specified therein, shall, on conviction before any two 

 Justices of the Peace in England, Wales, or Ireland, or before the Sheriff' in Scot- 

 land, forfeit and pay for every bird or egg so taken or destroyed a sum not exceed- 

 ing one pound." 



10 C 



