INTRODUCTION 37 



Warbler, White's Thrush, and the Desert Wheatear 

 may be shot without compunction ; for the capture 

 of a hundred of these birds in England would be 

 less injurious to the species than the death of a 

 single pair at their normal breeding-grounds or 

 winter quarters; in fact, it is even the more 

 merciful course to shoot them, for it prevents their 

 ultimate death from starvation or worse. All these 

 abnormal visitors are already dead to their species, 

 and their capture is not only advisable but perfectly 

 justifiable. 



One word in conclusion. There are few subjects 

 concerning which more nonsense has been written, 

 or which are more surrounded with maudlin senti- 

 ment, than the " extermination " and " slaughter " 

 of birds. In season and out of season we are being 

 constantly reminded by well-intentioned people, we 

 do not doubt, that this bird or that is threatened 

 with extinction, or being ruthlessly butchered. The 

 capture of a " rare bird " is often the signal for an 

 outburst of misplaced indignation from these well- 

 meaning faddists, whose ill-timed diatribe too often 

 not only defeats its object and brings ridicule upon 

 themselves, but is apt seriously to injure a cause 

 whose welfare every naturalist should have at 

 heart — the protection of our native avifauna, and 



