ON THE REPORT ON THE PROTECTION OF WILD BIRDS 



ON THE REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENTAL 

 COMMITTEE ON THE PROTECTION OF 

 WILD BIRDS. 



In 191 3, a small Committee of experts was appointed by 

 the Government to "inquire what action has been taken 

 under the Wild Birds Protection Acts for the protection of 

 Wild Birds, and to consider whether any amendment of the 

 law or improvements in its administration are required." 

 The work of this Committee was greatly hindered by the 

 war, but they have now brought their labours to a conclusion 

 and have issued their findings in the form of this Report. 

 They took evidence as to the working of the existing Acts 

 and the possibility of improvements or alterations thereof 

 from a very wide range of interests. These included the 

 Board of Customs and Excise, County Councils, the Police, 

 the Royal and Irish Societies for the Protection of Birds, 

 Cage-bird Societies, Fishery Boards, farming and fruit 

 growing interests, bird-catchers, ornithologists and taxi- 

 dermists, and in addition they received memoranda from 

 various associations and Government offices. The result 

 of all this work is now before us in this very excellent 

 Report, containing most valuable suggestions as to the future 

 of bird protection. The first chapter is historical, and 

 consists of a brief survey of the laws for the protection of 

 birds in this country up to the present time, especially those 

 from 1869 onwards. The present law is set forth in detail 

 in the next four chapters, with a summary of its results, 

 and the rest of the Report is taken up with suggestions 

 made to the Committee, and with their recommendations as 

 to future legislation. 



The chief drawbacks to the existing law are : 



(i) Its complexity, owing largely to the number of 

 Acts and Orders in force. 



(2) The want of uniformity in the Orders adopted by 

 different counties. This is more apparent in England than 

 in Scotland, owing to there being no grouping of the 



